SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:10
Que tenga testimonio en buenas obras; si cri bien sus hijos ; si ha ejercitado la hospitalidad; si ha lavado los pies de los santos; si ha socorrido a los afligidos; si ha seguido toda buena obra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:10
Verse 10. Well reported of for good works] Numbers being able to bear testimony, as the word implies, that she has not only avoided all sin, but that she has walked according to the testimony of God. Brought up children] It was customary among the Gentiles to expose their children, when so poor that they were not able to provide for them.
Pious and humane people took these up; and fed, clothed, and educated them. The words brought up may refer to the children of others, who were educated in the Christian faith by pious Christian women.
Lodged strangers] If she have been given to hospitality, freely contributing to the necessitous, when she had it in her power.
Washed the saints' feet] This was an office of humanity shown to all strangers and travelers in the eastern countries, who, either walking barefoot, or having only a sort of sole to defend the foot, needed washing when they came to their journey's end. Pious women generally did this act of kindness.
Relieved the afflicted] Visited and ministered to the sick.
Diligently followed every good work] In a word, if she have been altogether a Christian, living according to the precepts of the Gospel, and doing the Lord's work with all her heart, soul, and strength.
From the character given here of the widow indeed, it may be doubted whether chra, widow, was not in some cases the name of an office, which name it might have from being ordinarily filled by widows. It can hardly be supposed that any widow, unless she had considerable property, could have done the things enumerated in this verse, some of which would occasion no small expense. The widow indeed may mean a person who was to be employed in some office in the Church; and Timothy is enjoined not to take any into that office unless she had been before remarkable for piety and humanity. Some think that the widows of whom the apostle speaks had been deaconesses, and wished now to be taken on what might be termed the superannuated list; and the apostle lays down rules for the admission of such, the sum of which is: Let none come on this superannuated list unless she be at least sixty years of age, and can bring proof of her having conscientiously discharged the office and duty of a deaconess.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. Well reported of for good works , etc.] Both by the members of the church, and by them that were without: particularly if she have brought up children ; that is, well, as the Arabic version adds; in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; commanding them, as Abraham did, to keep the way of the Lord, and to do justice and judgment; training them up in the paths of religion and virtue, from which they will not so easily depart when grown up. If she have lodged strangers ; as Abraham and Lot did, who entertained angels unawares: this may be understood of strangers in common, but especially of the brethren, ministers, and others, who came from distant parts, and travelled about to spread the Gospel of Christ. The Jews say many things aynska dwbkb , in honour of hospitality or entertaining of strangers, especially of receiving into their houses the disciples of the wise men, and giving them food and drink, and the use of their goods; this was what gave persons a very great character with them, and highly recommended them. If she have washed the saints' feet ; which was usual in those hot countries, where they wore sandals only, partly for refreshment, and partly for the removal of dust and filth, contracted in walking; instances of this we have in several places of Scripture, ( Genesis 18:4 19:2). It was such a common piece of civility, that our Lord complains of the neglect of it towards him, ( Luke 7:44). It was what he did to his own disciples, and in so doing set them an example of what they should do to one another, ( John 13:14) and being a mean and low office, and which very likely was done by the servants of the house; the sense may be, if she has condescended to do the meanest office for the saints. If she have relieved the afflicted ; either in body, with her purse; or in mind, by visiting them, and speaking comfortably to them: in general, if she have diligently followed every good work ; not only have done good works at certain times, but has followed that which is good; has closely pursued it, and that with great eagerness and diligence; has been constant and indefatigable in the performance of it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-16 - Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when the are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and thos who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make mischief among neighbours, and so discord among brethren. All believers are required to relieve thos belonging to their families who are destitute, that the church may no be prevented from relieving such as are entirely destitute an friendless.
Greek Textus Receptus
εν 1722 εργοις 2041 καλοις 2570 μαρτυρουμενη 3140 5746 ει 1487 ετεκνοτροφησεν 5044 5656 ει 1487 εξενοδοχησεν 3580 5656 ει 1487 αγιων 40 ποδας 4228 ενιψεν 3538 5656 ει 1487 θλιβομενοις 2346 5746 επηρκεσεν 1884 5656 ει 1487 παντι 3956 εργω 2041 αγαθω 18 επηκολουθησεν 1872 5656
Vincent's NT Word Studies
10. Well reported of (marturoumenh). Lit. born witness to or attested, as Acts vi. 3; x. 22; Heb. xi. 2. Comp. marturian kalhn ecein to have good testimony, ch. iii. 7.
For good works (en ergoiv kaloiv). Lit. in good works; in the matter of. Comp. 1 Tim. vi. 18; Tit. ii. 7; iii. 8, 14. In the Gospels, ergon work appears with kalov and never with ajgaqov. In Paul, always with ajgaqov and never with kalov Kings In the Pastorals, with both. The phrase includes good deeds of all kinds, and not merely special works of beneficence. Comp. Acts ix. 36.
If (ei). Introducing the details of the general expression good works. Have brought up children (eteknotrofhsen). N.T.o . o LXX; very rare in Class. The children may have been her own or others'.
Lodged strangers (exenodochsen). N.T.o . o LXX. On the duty of hospitality comp. ch. iii. 2; Matthews xxv. 35; Rom. xii. 13; Heb. xiii. 2; 1 Pet. iv. 9; 3 John 5.
Washed the feet. A mark of Oriental hospitality bestowed on the stranger arriving from a journey, and therefore closely associated with lodged strangers.
Of the saints (agiwn). %Agiov is rare in Class. In LXX, the standard word for holy. Its fundamental idea is setting apart, as in Class., devoted to the gods. In O T., set apart to God, as priests; as the Israelites consecrated to God. In N.T., applied to Christians. Ideally, it implies personal holiness. It is used of God, Christ, John the Baptist, God's law, the Spirit of God. Paul often uses oiJ agioi as a common designation of Christians belonging to a certain region or community, as Philip. i. 1; 2 Corinthians i. t; Col. i. 2. In such cases it does not imply actual holiness, but holiness obligatory upon those addressed, as consecrated persons, and appropriate to them. What ought to be is assumed as being. In this sense not in the Gospels (unless, possibly, Matthews xxvii. 52) or in the Epistles of Peter and John. Rare in Acts.
Relieved (ephrkesen). Only here and ver. 16. Comp. 1 Macc. viii. 26; xi. 35. Common in Class. Originally, to suffice for, to be strong enough for, as in Homer, where it is always used in connection with danger or injury. See Il. ii. 873; Od. xvii. 568. Hence, to ward off, help, assist.
The afflicted (qlibomenoiv) See on tribulation, Matthews xiii. 21, and comp. 2 Cor. i. 6; iv. 8; 2 Thess. i. 6, 7; Heb. xi. 37. Diligently followed (epako ouqhsen). Comp. ver. 24. Epi after or close upon. o P. Once in the disputed verses at the end of Mark (xvi. 20), and 1 Pet. ii. 21. Comp. the use of diwkein pursue, Rom. ix. 30; xii. 13; 1 Cor. xiv. 1; 1 Thess. v. 15.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:10 {If she hath brought up children} (ei eteknotrofesen). Condition of first class. Late and rare word (Aristotle, Epictetus), first aorist active indicative of teknotrofew (teknotrofos, from teknon, trefw), here only in N.T. Qualification for her work as leader. {If she hath used hospitality to strangers} (ei exenodocesen). First aorist again and same condition. Late form (Dio Cassius) of old verb xenodokew (Herodotus), to welcome strangers (xenous decomai). Only here in N.T. Hospitality another qualification for such leadership (#3:2). {If she hath washed the saints' feet} (ei hagiwn podas eniyen). Same condition and tense of niptw (old form nizw), common in N.T. (#Joh 13:5). Proof of her hospitality, not of its being a church ordinance. {If she hath relieved the afflicted} (ei qlibomenois eperkesen). Same condition and tense of eparkew, to give sufficient aid, old word, in N.T. only here and verse #16. Experience that qualified her for eleemosynary work. {If she hath diligently followed} (ei epekolouqesen). Same condition and tense of epakolouqew, old verb, to follow close upon (epi). So here, verse #24; 1Pe 2:21. In a word such a widow must show her qualifications for leadership as with bishops and deacons.
