SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:16
Si algn fiel o alguna fiel tiene viudas, mantngalas, y no sea gravada la Iglesia; a fin de que haya lo suficiente para las que de verdad son viudas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:16
Verse 16. If any man or woman that believeth] If any Christian man or woman have poor widows, which are their relatives, let them relieve them - provide them with the necessaries of life, and not burden the Church with their maintenance, that the funds may be spared for the support of those widows who were employed in its service, teaching children, visiting the sick, &c., &c. For the performing of such offices it is very likely that none but widows were employed; and these were chosen, other things being equal, out of the most indigent of the widows, and therefore called by the apostle, here and in ver. 3, aiv ontwv chrai, widows indeed - widows desolate, without support, and without relatives. See the note on ver. 10.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. If any man or woman that believeth have widows , etc.] That is, if any member of a church, whether a brother or a sister, have mothers or grandmothers, or any near relations widows, in mean circumstances, and incapable of taking care of themselves: let them relieve them ; out of their own substance; which is what the apostle before calls showing piety at home, and requiting their own parents: and let not the church be charged ; or burdened with the maintenance of them: that it may relieve them that are widows indeed ; that the church may be in a better capacity, its stock not being expended on others, to supply the wants of those who are really widows; who have neither husbands, nor children, nor any relations, to provide for them; nor anything in the world to support themselves with.
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
ει 1487 τις 5100 πιστος 4103 η 2228 πιστη 4103 εχει 2192 5719 χηρας 5503 επαρκειτω 1884 5720 αυταις 846 και 2532 μη 3361 βαρεισθω 916 5744 η 3588 εκκλησια 1577 ινα 2443 ταις 3588 οντως 3689 χηραις 5503 επαρκεση 1884 5661
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Man or woman that believeth (pistov h pisth). Lit. believing man or woman. But pistov h should be omitted. Read, if any woman that believeth.
Have widows (ecei chrav). If any Christian woman have relatives or persons attached to her household who are widows The church be charged. Holtzmann quotes an inscription in the chaple of the Villa Albani at Rome: "To the good Regina her daughter has erected this memorial: to the good Regina her widowed mother, who was a widow for sixty years and never burdened the church after she was the wife of one husband. She lived 80 years, 5 months, and 26 days."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:16 {That believeth} (piste). "Believing woman." {Hath widows} (ecei ceras). The "any believing woman" is one of the household-rulers of verse #14. The "widows" here are the widows dependent on her and who are considered as candidates to be enrolled in the list. {Let her relieve them} (eparkeitw autais). For this verb (imperative present active) see verse #10. {Let not be burdened} (me bareisqw). Present passive imperative (in prohibition m) of bare", old verb (baros, burden), Pauline word (#2Co 1:8). {That are widows indeed} (tais ontws cerais). Dative case with eparkesei (first aorist active subjunctive with hina, final clause). See verse #3 for this use of ontws with cerais "the qualified and enrolled widows." Cf. verse #9.
