1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3Honor the widows who are truly widows. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.[ † ]Genesis 45:10
5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.[ † ]Acts 26:7 6But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach. 8If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.[ † ]Isaiah 58:72 Corinthians 12:142 Timothy 3:5Matthew 18:17
9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband, 10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, 12and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. 13At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
14So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. 15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.
17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”[ † ]Deuteronomy 25:41 Corinthians 9:7-9Leviticus 19:13Deuteronomy 24:15Matthew 10:10Luke 10:71 Corinthians 9:14
19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.[ † ]Deuteronomy 17:6Deuteronomy 19:15Matthew 18:16 20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.[ † ]Deuteronomy 1:17
22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.[ † ]Ephesians 5:6-72 John 11
23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.[ † ]Galatians 5:19-21 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.