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1 Timothy 5:8

in 1 Timothy 5

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

KJV

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

This verse in 1 Timothy 5

Commentary

13 notes on this verse
The apostle in his first Epistle to Timothy: "But if any take not care of his own, and especially of those of his own household, he denies the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

This site's exposition

Give these instructions to the believers

on 1 Timothy 5:7-8

Verse 8 makes the charge household law: whoever does not provide for his own household has denied the faith. The charge protects widows by binding their families first.

This site's exposition

worse than an unbeliever

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note that nature teaches even unbelievers to care for their own. So a Christian who neglects his family falls below them.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers3 voices

A commentator

Oecumenius

COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY · Written before 550.

proposed

And these things command, so that they may be blameless. But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. And these things command. Do you see that Paul …

A commentator

Augustine of Hippo

City of God 19.14 · Written before 430.

proposed

Now God, our master, teaches two chief precepts: love of God and love of neighbor. In them one finds three objects for his love: God, himself and his neighbor. One who loves God is not wrong in loving himself. It follows, therefore, that he will be concerned also that his neighbor should love God, since he is told to love his neighbor as himself. And the same is true of his concern for his wife, his children, for the members of his household, and for all others, so far as is possible. And, for the same end, he will wish his neighbor to be concerned for him, if he happens to need that concern. For this reason he will be at peace, as far as in him lies, with all. In that peace he will live in ordered harmony. The basis of this order is the observance of two rules: first, to do no harm to anyone, and, second, to help everyone whenever possible. To begin with, therefore, one has a responsibility for his own household—obviously, both in the order of nature and in the framework of human society. He has easier and more immediate contact with them.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on 1 Timothy 14 · Written before 407.

proposed

Many consider that their own virtue is sufficient for their salvation, and if they duly regulate their own life, that nothing further is wanting to save them. But in this they greatly err, which is proved by the example of him who buried his one talent, for he brought it back not diminished but entire, and just as it had been delivered to him. It is shown also by the blessed Paul, who says here, "If any one provide not for his own." The provision of which he speaks is universal, and relates to the soul as well as the body, since both are to be provided for. "If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house," that is, those who are nearly related to him, "he is worse than an infidel." And so says Isaiah, the chief of the Prophets, "Thou shalt not overlook thy kinsmen of thy own seed." For if a man deserts those who are united by ties of kindred and affinity, how shall he be affectionate towards others? Will it not have the appearance of vainglory, when benefiting others he slights his own relations, and does not provide for them? And what will be said, if instructing others, he neglects his own, though he has greater facilities; and a higher obligation to benefit them? Will it not be said, These Christians are affectionate indeed, who neglect their own relatives? "He is worse than an infidel." Wherefore? Because the latter, if he benefits not aliens, does not neglect his near kindred. What is meant is this: The law of God and of nature is violated by him who provides not for his own family. But if he who provides not for them has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel, where shall he be ranked who has injured his relatives? With whom shall he be placed? But how has he denied the faith? Even as it is said, "They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him." What has God, in whom they believe, commanded? […]

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 1 Timothy · Written before 1107.

proposed

A pleasure-loving woman, he says, has already died and perished because she devotes all her care to herself. Meanwhile, one must care "for one's own," that is, the faithful, "and especially for those of the household," that is, those belonging to one's family — he …

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 1 Timothy · Written before 1274.

proposed

Then when he says, but if any man, he assigns the reason for his statement that she learn first to govern her own house and to make a return of duty to her parents, saying that she needs to be instructed on this point, because …
5 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

For his own - Mother and grandmother, being desolate widows. Denied the faith - Which does not destroy, but perfect, natural duties. What has this to do with heaping up money for our children, for which it is often so impertinently alleged?
But if any provide not for his own,....

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

"Faith does not set aside natural duties, but strengthens them" [BENGEL]. worse than an infidel--because even an infidel (or unbeliever) is taught by nature to provide for his own relatives, and generally recognizes the duty; the Christian who does not so, is worse (Mt 5:46, 47).

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

But if any provide not for his own - His own people or relatives. Those of his own house - That is, his own family, or a poor widow or relative that lives under his roof. Hath denied the faith - The Christian religion, which strongly inculcates love and benevolence to all mankind. Is worse than an infidel - For what are called the dictates of nature lead men to feel for and provide for their own families.
But if any provide not for his own - The apostle was speaking 1Ti 5:4 particularly of the duty of children toward a widowed mother. In enforcing that duty, he gives the subject, as he often does in similar cases, a general direction, and says that all ought to provide for those who were dependent on them, and that if they did not do this, they had a less impressive sense of the obligations of duty than even the pagan had. On the duty here referred to, compare Rom 12:17 note; 2Co 8:21 note. The meaning is, that the person referred to is to think beforehand (προνοεἶ pronoei) of the probable needs of his own family, and make arrangements to meet them. God thus provides for our needs; that is, he sees beforehand what we shall need, and makes arrangements for those needs by long preparation. The food that we eat, and the raiment that we wear, he foresaw that we should need, and the arrangement for the supply was made years since, and to meet these needs he has been carrying forward the plans of his providence in the seasons; in the growth of animals; in the formation of fruit; in the bountiful harvest. So, according to our measure, we are to anticipate what will be the probable needs of our families, and to make arrangements to meet them. The words “his own,” refer to those who are naturally dependent on him, whether living in his own immediate family or not. There may be many distant relatives naturally dependent on our aid, besides those who live in our own house. And specially for those of his own house - Margin, “kindred.” The word “house,” or “household,” better expresses the sense than the word “kindred.” The meaning is, those who live in his own family. They would naturally have higher claims on him than those who did not. […]

The words behind it

17 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Galatians 6:10

    Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 13:16

      And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

    • Proverbs 3:27

      Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.

    • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

      Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

    • Titus 3:8

      This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable…

    • Matthew 25:40

      And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

  • Through

    Titus 1:16

    They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

    it leads to

    • 1 John 2:4

      If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

    • Isaiah 29:13

      Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught…

    • Ephesians 5:6

      Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

Where this verse is studied

About 1 Timothy

Saint Paul Writing, Pier Francesco Sacchi, the 1520s, National Gallery, London. Public domain.
Saint Paul Writing, Pier Francesco Sacchi, the 1520s, National Gallery, London. Public domain.
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, City of God 19.14; Cyprian, Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Timothy 14; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Timothy.