To honour widows that are widows indeed means to give them care and support. The command stands together with treating older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with purity, and it reflects tenderness in dealing with one another.
Widows indeed are those who are destitute, genuinely afflicted, and truly in need. The verse places a most solemn duty on the church and on each person to have especial care for such widows, together with orphans and invalids. Wise church members should examine each case and see that the widows and orphans of God's people are not neglected.
This support is discriminating: it does not extend to everyone who is poor through lack of diligence or economy, and the small means of the church should not be taken to support people who could support themselves. Widows whose husbands spent their strength in God's service and died while doing that work, leaving them with children in need, are to be regarded with particular regard; they should not be neglected, their lack should be supplied, and the care given should strengthen and comfort them in their affliction. The verse applies to the widows of ministers: they are not to be forgotten, and if necessary they should receive support from the tithe.
Widows and invalids are among the people God uses to test others and to develop Christlike compassion and character in the church.
To honour widows that are widows indeed means to give them care and support. The command stands together with treating older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with purity, and it reflects tenderness in dealing with one another.
Widows indeed are those who are destitute, genuinely afflicted, and truly in need. The verse places a most solemn duty on the church and on each person to have especial care for such widows, together with orphans and invalids. Wise church members should examine each case and see that the widows and orphans of God's people are not neglected.
This support is discriminating: it does not extend to everyone who is poor through lack of diligence or economy, and the small means of the church should not be taken to support people who could support themselves. Widows whose husbands spent their strength in God's service and died while doing that work, leaving them with children in need, are to be regarded with particular regard; they should not be neglected, their lack should be supplied, and the care given should strengthen and comfort them in their affliction. The verse applies to the widows of ministers: they are not to be forgotten, and if necessary they should receive support from the tithe.
Widows and invalids are among the people God uses to test others and to develop Christlike compassion and character in the church.