1 Timothy 5:16

5:16 If a believing woman ¹  has widows in her family, ²  let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need. ³ 

1 Timothy 6:2

6:2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect ⁴  because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. ⁵ 

Summary of Timothy’s Duties

Teach them and exhort them about these things. ⁶ 

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¹ 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.

² tn Grk “has widows.”

³ tn Grk “the real widows,” “those who are really widows.”

⁴ tn Or “think the less of them”; Grk “despise them,” “look down on them.”

⁵ tn Or “those who devote themselves to service are faithful and dearly loved” (referring to slaves who serve them).

⁶ tn Grk “these things teach and exhort.”