1 Timothy 5:9
1 Timothy 5:9
“Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A widow should be enrolled for the church's ongoing support only if she is over sixty and was faithful in marriage.
What Does 1 Timothy 5:9 Mean?
Paul gives guidelines for a recognized list of widows the church would support and who would serve in return. Such a widow should be at least sixty and have been faithful to her husband.
These were not arbitrary rules but a way to order limited resources wisely and honor proven character. The enrolled widows were women of long faithfulness, set apart for a recognized place in the church's life.