1 Timothy 5:3

“Honour widows that are widows indeed.] Who those are, see in (<540105>1 Timothy 1:5,9,10). The honour to be given them is not a putting of them into the office of a deaconess, in the church; which office, some think, is referred to in (<440601>Acts 6:1 <540311>1 Timothy 3:11 5:9), and did obtain in some of the primitive churches; and it might be that some of these widows, the apostle here and hereafter speaks of, might be preferred to the rest, and be set over them, and have the care of such, who were more infirm; but then this could only be the case of some, whereas the honour here spoken of is what is to be given to all that are really widows; and therefore rather regards some external…”

“Honour--by setting on the church roll, as fit objects of charitable sustenance (Ti1 5:9, Ti1 5:17-18; Act 6:1). So "honor" is used for support with necessaries (Mat 15:4, Mat 15:6; Act 28:10). widows indeed-- (Ti1 5:16). Those really desolate; not like those (Ti1 5:4) having children or relations answerable for their support, nor like those (in Ti1 5:6) "who live in pleasure"; but such as, from their earthly desolation as to friends, are most likely to trust wholly in God, persevere in continual prayers, and carry out the religious duties assigned to Church widows (Ti1 5:5). Care for widows was transferred from the Jewish economy to the Christian (Deu 14:29; Deu 16:11; Deu 24:17, Deu 24:19).”

“Honour widows - The particular attention and respect which are enjoined here, seem to refer to the class of widows who were supported by the church, and who were entrusted with the performance of certain duties toward the other female members, see 1 Timothy 5:9. It is to be remembered that the contact of the sexes was much more circumscribed in Oriental countries than it is among us; that access to the female members of the church would be much less free than it is now, and that consequently there might have been a special propriety in entrusting the duty of watching over the younger among them to the more aged. This duty would be naturally entrusted to those who had not the care of…”

“Honour - That is, maintain out of the public stock. 1 Timothy 5:4”

“5:3-16 A widow without wealth or family was alone in a world that did not provide for her. The Christian community was expected to care for such widows among its members (see Deut 10:17-19; Isa 1:17; cp. Acts 6:1-6; Jas 1:27). Some have argued that this passage suggests a religious order of widows in the first-century church at Ephesus, but there is no certain evidence of such an order in the first-century church, only of a ministry of care for community members without means.”

“Honour: Ti1 5:2, Ti1 5:17; Exo 20:12; Mat 15:6; Th1 2:6; Pe1 2:17, Pe1 3:7 widows: Ti1 5:9; Deu 10:18, Deu 14:29, Deu 16:11, Deu 16:14, Deu 27:19; Job 29:13, Job 31:16; Psa 68:5; Psa 94:6, Psa 146:9; Jer 49:11; Mat 23:14; Luk 7:12; Act 6:1, Act 9:39; Jam 1:27 indeed: Ti1 5:4, Ti1 5:5, Ti1 5:9-11, Ti1 5:16; Luk 2:37; Joh 1:47 1 Timothy 5:4”