1 Timothy 1:16

1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that ¹  in me as the worst, ²  Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 3:7

3:7 And he must be well thought of by ³  those outside the faith, ⁴  so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap. ⁵ 

1 Timothy 5:4

5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty ⁶  toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. ⁷  For this is what pleases God. ⁸ 

1 Timothy 5:16

5:16 If a believing woman ⁹  has widows in her family, ¹⁰  let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need. ¹¹ 

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¹ tn Grk “but because of this I was treated with mercy, so that…”

² tn Grk “in me first,” making the connection with the last phrase of v. 15.

³ tn Or “have a good reputation with”; Grk “have a good testimony from.”

⁴ tn Grk “the ones outside.”

⁵ tn Or “be trapped like the devil was”; Grk “fall into the trap of the devil.” The parallel in 2 Tim 2:26 supports the rendering given in the text.

⁶ tn Or “to practice their religion.”

⁷ tn Or “and so make some repayment to their parents”; Grk “and to give back recompense to their parents.”

⁸ tn Grk “for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”

⁹ tc Most witnesses (D Ψ Ï sy) have πιστὸς ἤ (pisto" h) before πιστή (pisth), with the resultant meaning “if a believing man or woman.” But such looks to be a motivated reading, perhaps to bring some parity to the responsibilities of men and women listed here, and as a way of harmonizing with v. 4. Further, most of the earliest and best witnesses (א A C F G P 048 33 81 1175 1739 1881 co) lack the πιστὸς ἤ, strengthening the preference for the shorter reading.

¹⁰ tn Grk “has widows.”

¹¹ tn Grk “the real widows,” “those who are really widows.”