Last week, as we started looking at 1 Timothy 5, we saw Paul begin some significant instructions concerning family responsibilities, especially concerning widows. Over the next few paragraphs, Paul will give a lot of instruction to Timothy on this subject.
He begins by looking at a widow who is really in need. Take a look at these verses in 1 Timothy 5:5-6:
In Jewish society, when a woman lost her husband, becoming a widow, her family took on the responsibility to help meet her needs. If she had no children, then extended family stepped in. But if there were no other family members to help, she would fall into the category that Paul describes as a “widow in need.”
However, she must display some certain spiritual qualities.