| Geneva Study Bible {2} {a} Honour widows that are widows indeed. (2) The apostle gives these rules concerning the care of widows. (a) Have care of those widows who have need of help. People's New Testament 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. In the church at Jerusalem the widows were honored with support (Ac 6:1). The teaching of Paul here seems to place widows who were above sixty years old (1Ti 5:9), and without children or grandchildren to support them (1Ti 5:4), in a class of church widows devoted to the work of the church (1Ti 5:10), and supported out of its funds. Such were widows indeed. Wesley's Notes 5:3 Honour - That is, maintain out of the public stock. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 3. Honour-by setting on the church roll, as fit objects of charitable sustenance (1Ti 5:9, 17, 18; Ac 6:1). So "honor" is used for support with necessaries (Mt 15:4, 6; Ac 28:10). widows indeed-(1Ti 5:16). Those really desolate; not like those (1Ti 5:4) having children or relations answerable for their support, nor like those (in 1Ti 5:6) "who live in pleasure"; but such as, from their earthly desolation as to friends, are most likely to trust wholly in God, persevere in continual prayers, and carry out the religious duties assigned to Church widows (1Ti 5:5). Care for widows was transferred from the Jewish economy to the Christian (De 14:29; 16:11; 24:17, 19). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 5:3-8 Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins. Alas, what numbers there are of this description among nominal Christians, even to the latest period of life! If any men or women do not maintain their poor relations, they in effect deny the faith. If they spend upon their lusts and pleasures, what should maintain their families, they have denied the faith, and are worse than infidels. If professors of the gospel give way to any corrupt principle or conduct, they are worse than those who do not profess to believe the doctrines of grace. | 
