Honour
widows that are widows indeed.
Not every woman who has lost her husband is a widow indeed as we shall
see in the coming verses of 1 Timothy 5.
But
if any widow have children or nephews,
The first test that must be applied to
determine whether a woman is truly a widow in need is if she has children or
nephews. Now this children and nephews phrase is interesting for it seems to be
indicating that God expects the men (sons) or nephews to take care of the older
women in their families. However, Scripture also mentions the issue of whether
or not her family is nearby:
“Thine own friend, and thy father's
friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy
calamity: for better is a
neighbour that is near than a brother far off” (Proverbs 27:10, KJV).
let
them learn first to shew piety at home,
But the main point that Paul is making
is that these male relatives are to first show their piety (godliness) at home,
not out somewhere else by good deeds.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to
keep himself unspotted from the world. James
1:27 (KJV)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he
hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If
a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And
one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body;
what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being
alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works:
shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father
justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And
the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye
see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise
also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the
messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For
as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:14-26 (KJV)
and
to requite their parents:
Also, they should honor their parents (Ex. 20:12). God has designed the
family so that the parent takes care of the helpless child and then, if need
be, the child takes care of the helpless parent.
for
that is good and acceptable before God.
It is good and acceptable before God! Scripture does not say that this
is an optional thing or a choice that we simply have to make. No, it is good and acceptable before God. God
created the earth and each day after He finished, He said that it was good. So
this design is good to God. And as Able’s sacrifice was pleasing to the Lord,
so it is acceptable that we honor our parents and elder family members in this
way. Remember, your religion only is a
real as it is at home.
1 Tim 5:3-4 (KJV)
