This week we finish the qualifications and roles of widows in the church and really how this reflects on the lives of the people of God. The text covered is 1 Timothy 5:9-16:
(1Ti 5:9 ESV) Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
(1Ti 5:10 ESV) and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
(1Ti 5:11 ESV) But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry
(1Ti 5:12 ESV) and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
(1Ti 5:13 ESV) Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
(1Ti 5:14 ESV) So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
(1Ti 5:15 ESV) For some have already strayed after Satan.
(1Ti 5:16 ESV) If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.