Daily Devotions
1 Timothy
"Honour widows who are really widows..."
Text: 1 Timothy 5:3
SAD REALITIES
There are some realities that can affect the biological family adversely. One of those tragedies would be to see death causing hardship to the survivors. In the ancient days widowhood was probably harder to cope with. Paul wrote to Timothy to advise him on how the church ought to view the problem of widowhood.
“Honour widows who are really widows.
But if any widow has children or grandchildren,
let them first learn to show piety at home and
to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.”
1 Timothy 5:3-4
1. “Honour widows”
a) This was written with an imperatival force.
b) Those who are “widows” ought to be treated with honour.
2. Who are really widows
a) Technical definition
This would refer to any and every woman who has suffered bereavement of her husband.
b) “Really widows”
i) Paul went beyond technical definition.
ii) Physical bereavement was only the first consideration.
3. Other important considerations
a) Did the widow have any children?
b) Did she have grandchildren?
c) If the answer is negative then the widow deserves honoured consideration.
4. “If any widow has children or grandchildren”
a) The children and grandchildren must show proper piety.
b) They must repay their mother/grandmother.
c) This is a good and godly duty.
5. “For this is good and acceptable before God”
a) These duties are fulfilled with a great sense of consciousness of the Presence of God.
b) These filial duties are considered “good and acceptable” in God’s sight.
Timothy was challenged by the apostle Paul to encourage these wholesome activities in the Church.