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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 5:5 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 5:5 |
King James |
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
widow indeed, and desolate--contrasted with her who has children or grandchildren to support her (Ti1 5:4).
trusteth in God--perfect tense in Greek, "hath rested, and doth rest her hope in God." Ti1 5:5 adds another qualification in a widow for Church maintenance, besides her being" desolate" or destitute of children to support her. She must be not one "that liveth in pleasure" (Ti1 5:6), but one making God her main hope (the accusative in Greek expresses that God is the ultimate aim whereto her hope is directed; whereas, Ti1 4:10, dative expresses hope resting on God as her present stay [WIESINGER]), and continuing constantly in prayers. Her destitution of children and of all ties to earth would leave her more unencumbered for devoting the rest of her days to God and the Church (Co1 7:33-34). Compare also "Anna a widow," who remained unmarried after her husband's death and "departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers day and night" (Luk 2:36-37). Such a one, Paul implies, would be the fittest object for the Church's help (Ti1 5:3); for such a one is promoting the cause of Christ's Church by her prayers for it. "Ardor in prayers flows from hoping confidence in God" [LEO].
in supplications and prayers--Greek, "in her supplications and prayers"; the former signifies asking under a sense of need, the latter, prayer (see on Ti1 2:1; Phi 4:6).
night and day--another coincidence with Luke (Luk 18:7, "cry day and night"); contrast Satan's accusations "day and night" (Rev 12:10). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
A widow indeed, and desolate - The word rendered "desolate" means "solitary, alone." It does not necessarily imply the idea of discomfort which we attach to the word desolate. The sense is, that she had no children or other descendants; none on whom she could depend for support.
Trusteth in God - She has no one else to look to but God. She has no earthly reliance, and, destitute of husband, children, and property, she feels her dependence, and steadily looks to God for consolation and support.
And continueth in supplications and prayers night and day - Continually; compare notes on Ti1 2:1; see also the description of Anna in Luk 2:36-37. The apostle regards this as one of the characteristics of those who were "widows indeed," whom he would have received into the class to be maintained by the church, and to whom the charge of younger members of the church might be entrusted. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
And desolate (καὶ μεμονωμένη)
N.T.o. From μόνος alone. Explanatory of a widow indeed. One entirely bereaved.
Trusteth in God (ἤλπικεν ἐπὶ τὸν Θεὸν)
Strictly hath directed her hope at God. Rev. hath her hope set on God implies ἐπὶ with the dative, as Jo1 3:3. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Widows indeed - Who have no near relations to provide for them; and who are wholly devoted to God. Desolate - Having neither children, nor grandchildren to relieve her. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
And desolate - Και μεμονωμενη· Left entirely alone - having neither children nor relatives to take care of her.
Trusteth in God - Finding she has no other helper, she continues in prayer and supplication, that she may derive that from God which, in the course of his providence, he has deprived her of among men. |
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.