1 Timothy 5:5 - Exposition

Hath her hope set on for trusteth in, A.V. A widow indeed (see 1 Timothy 5:3 ). Desolate ( μεμονωμένη ; only here in the New Testament, rare in Greek versions of Old Testament, frequent in classical Greek); literally, left alone , or made solitary , which is also the exact meaning of "desolate," from solus , alone. A widow with children or grandchildren able to support her is not altogether desolate. As regards the connecting δέ , rendered "now" both in the A.V. and the R.V., Bishop Ellicott rightly renders it "but." The apostle is contrasting the condition of the ὄντες χήρα , who has only God to look to for help, and who passes her time in prayer, with that of the widow with children and grandchildren. The second "but" in 1 Timothy 5:6 is no real objection; the widow who "giveth herself to pleasure ' is contrasted in her turn with the devout prayerful widow whose conduct has just been described. The inference intended to be drawn, as Ellicott justly remarks, is that the one is eminently fit, and the other eminently unfit, to be supported at the common charge of the Church. Hath her hope set on God (see 1 Timothy 4:10 ). Supplications and prayers (see 1 Timothy 2:1 , note). Night and day. Perhaps by night and by day would express the genitive better ( Matthew 2:14 ; Luke 18:7 ), as indicating time when , rather than time how long . In Luke 2:37 , Anna the prophetess is said to worship "with lastings and supplications night and day ( νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν )," where the accusative conveys rather more the notion of vigils prolonged through the night. As regards the order of the words, "day and night," or "night and day," there seems to be no rule. St. Mark always has "night and day"; St. Luke uses both ( Luke 2:37 ; Luke 18:7 ; Acts 9:24 ; Acts 20:31 ; Acts 26:7 ). St. Paul always "night and day," as in this passage ( Acts 20:31 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:10 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:3 ). St. John always "day and night" (Re John 4:8 ; John 7:15 ; John 12:10 ; John 14:11 ; John 20:10 ).