1 Timothy 5:16

Man or. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of these words.

Woman that believeth. Literally, “woman believer.” Paul here completes his instruction regarding the care of widows. He cites a very probable situation wherein a woman church member, married to an unbelieving husband, has a widowed mother or grandmother. The responsibility for her mother’s care resides with her, not with the church. Her unbelieving husband will sense the fairness of this emphasis, because responsibility is placed where it properly belongs.

Let not the church. That is, the church should not assume the burden rightly belonging to the relatives (see on v. 4).

Widows indeed. Paul includes all widows in his instruction. Those with children are to be assisted by their children. Regardless of their age, those widows who have no children and those whose children refuse to fulfill their obligations are to be faithfully relieved and supported by the church (see on vs. 3, 5).