Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

1 Timothy 5:16

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her assist them so that the congregation is not burdened. Then it can assist those who are truly widows.*+

1 Timothy 5:16

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 16 εἴ If τις anyone πιστὴ faithful [woman] ἔχει is having χήρας, widows, ἐπαρκείτω let her be sufficing upon αὐταῖς, to them, καὶ and μὴ not βαρείσθω let be weighted down ἡ the ἐκκλησία, ecclesia, ἵνα in order that ταῖς to the (ones) ὄντως essentially χήραις widows ἐπαρκέσῃ. it might suffice upon.

1 Timothy 5:16

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 16 If any believing woman has widows,* let her relieve them,+ and let the congregation not be under the burden. Then it can relieve those who are actually widows.+

1 Timothy 5:16

The Bible in Living English
- 16 * If any believing woman has widows, let her assist them and the church not be burdened, in order that it may assist the real widows.

1 Timothy 5:16

American Standard Version
- 16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it mat relieve them that are widows indeed.

1 Timothy 5:16

The Emphasized Bible
- 16 If any believing woman hath widows Let her be giving them succour And not suffer the assembly to be burdened,—That them who are indeed widows it may itself succour.

1 Timothy 5:16

King James Version
- 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

1 Timothy Study Notes—Chapter 5

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 5:16
  
  relatives who are widows: A Christian woman had an obligation to care for widows in her own family, such as her mother and grandmother. Her family might also include other widows who were closely related to her and who had no one else to assist them.
  
  so that the congregation is not burdened: Widows who qualify for assistance in the congregation were to be viewed as precious servants of God. (1Ti 5:5, 9, 10) However, Paul says that the congregation should not provide material support to widows who have family members who could care for them; nor should it provide support for those who are not exemplary Christians. (1Ti 5:4, 6, 7, 11-15) If the congregation were to care for such unqualified widows, its funds and energies might be strained or even diverted from the preaching work and the relief ministry.—See study note on 2Co 8:4.
  
  those who are truly widows: Or “widows who are truly in need,” that is, with no one to support them.