1 Timothy 5:16

“If any man or woman that believeth have widows, etc.] That is, if any member of a church, whether a brother or a sister, have mothers or grandmothers, or any near relations widows, in mean circumstances, and incapable of taking care of themselves: let them relieve them; out of their own substance; which is what the apostle before calls showing piety at home, and requiting their own parents: and let not the church be charged; or burdened with the maintenance of them: that it may relieve them that are widows indeed; that the church may be in a better capacity, its stock not being expended on others, to supply the wants of those who are really widows; who have neither husbands, nor children,…”

“If any . . . have widows--of his family, however related to him. Most of the oldest manuscripts and versions omit "man or," and read, "If any woman that believeth." But the Received text seems preferable. If, however, the weightiest authorities are to prevail, the sense will be: He was speaking of younger widows; He now says, If any believing young widow have widows related to her needing support, let her relieve them, thereby casing the Church of the burden, Ti1 5:3-4 (there it was the children and grandchildren; here it is the young widow, who, in order to avoid the evils of idleness and wantonness, the result of idleness, Ti1 5:11, Ti1 5:13; Eze 16:49, is to be diligent in good works,…”

“If any man or woman that believeth - Christians are often simply called “believers,” because faith is the leading and most important act of their religion. Have widows - Widowed mothers, or grandmothers, or any other widows whose support would naturally devolve on them. Let them relieve them - That is, let them support them. This was an obvious rule of duty; see the notes on 1 Timothy 5:8. Nothing can be more unreasonable than to leave those who are properly dependent on us to be supported by others, when we are able to maintain them ourselves. That it may relieve, ... - That it may have the means of supporting those who are truly dependent. To require or expect the Church, therefore, to…”

“5:16 Individual Christian households maintained their function and identity within the church (cp. 2:15; 3:15). They were not eclipsed by the church, although the household of God is primary to the identity of the believing community (see Mark 3:31-35).”

“let them: Ti1 5:4, Ti1 5:8 widows indeed: Ti1 5:3, Ti1 5:5 1 Timothy 5:17”