1 TIM 5:4 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because if a widow has children or grandchildren, then they should be learning to show their godliness to their own relatives first, and to be repaying their parents and grandparents because this is what God expects.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But if any widow has children or grandchildren, first let them learn to treat their own household in a godly way and to make repayment to their forebears, for this is acceptable before God.

UST However, suppose that women whose husbands have died have children or grandchildren. In that case, those children or grandchildren should, most importantly, practice honoring their own family members by taking care of them. In that way, they will do for their parents and grandparents what their parents and grandparents did for them. That pleases God.

BLB But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to be devout first to the own household and to give recompense to parents; for this is pleasing before God.

AICNT But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is [[good and]][fn] acceptable in the sight of God.

5:4, good and: Later manuscripts add. TR

OEB But, if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to show proper regard for the members of their own family first, and to make some return to their parents; for that is pleasing in God’s sight.

WEBBE But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family and to repay their parents, for this is[fn] acceptable in the sight of God.

5:4 TR adds “good and”

WMBB (Same as above including footnotes)

NET But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God.

LSV and if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety to their own house, and to give back a repayment to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.

FBV For the Christian responsibility of a widow's children or grandchildren is to do their duty for their own family, and repay their parents by helping them out. This is what pleases God.

TCNT But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show godliness toward their own household and to make some repayment to their parents, for this is [fn]acceptable in the sight of God.

5:4 acceptable ¦ good and acceptable ANT TR

T4T If a widow has children or grandchildren, these children or grandchildren should learn that they are to take care of their own family first. By doing that they can repay their parents and grandparents for all that they did for them when they were young, because doing that pleases God.

LEB But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to show profound respect for their own household first, and to pay back recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

BBE But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

Moff (When a widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn that the first duty of religion is to their own household, and that they should make some return to those who have brought them up. In God's sight this is an acceptable thing.)

Wymth But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first to show piety towards their own homes and to prove their gratitude to their parents; for this is well pleasing in the sight of God.

ASV But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

DRA But if any widow have children, or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house, and to make a return of duty to her parents: for this is acceptable before God.

YLT and if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to their own house to show piety, and to give back a recompense to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.

Drby but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of [fn]God.

5.4 Elohim

RV But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to shew piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
(But if any widow hath/has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. )

SLT And if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious to their own house, and to return recompenses to their progenitors: for this is good and acceptable before God.

Wbstr But if any widow hath children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

KJB-1769 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.
(But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. )

KJB-1611 But if any widow haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shew [fn]pietie at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
(But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show pietie at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.)

5:4 Or, kindenesse.

Bshps But yf any wydowe haue chyldren or nephewes, let them learne first to rule their owne houses godly, and to recompence also their elder kynsefolkes: for that is good and acceptable before God.
(But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to rule their own houses godly, and to recompense also their elder kynsefolkes: for that is good and acceptable before God.)

Gnva But if any widowe haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shewe godlinesse towarde their owne house, and to recompense their kinred: for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God.
(But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show godliness toward their own house, and to recompense their kindred: for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God. )

Cvdl Yf eny wedowe haue children or neves, let them lerne first to rule their awne houses godly, and to recompence their elders. For yt is good & acceptable before God.
(If any wedowe have children or neves, let them learn first to rule their own houses godly, and to recompense their elders. For it is good and acceptable before God.)

TNT Yf eny wyddowe have chyldren or neves let them learne fyrst to rule their awne houses godly and to recompence their elders. For that is good and acceptable before God.
(If any widow have children or neves let them learn first to rule their own houses godly and to recompense their elders. For that is good and acceptable before God. )

Wycl But if ony widewe hath children of sones, lerne sche first to gouerne her hous, and quyte to fadir and modir; for this thing is acceptid bifor God.
(But if any widow hath/has children of sons, learn she first to govern her house, and quyte to father and mother; for this thing is acceptid before God.)

Luth So aber eine Witwe Kinder oder Neffen hat, solche laß zuvor lernen ihre eigenen Häuser göttlich regieren und den Eltern Gleiches vergelten; denn das ist wohl getan und angenehm vor GOtt.
(So but a/one widow children or Neffen has, such let before learn their/her own houses göttlich rule/reign(v) and the Eltern seed/Evenes retaliate; because/than the is probably/well did and pleasant before/in_front_of God.)

ClVg Si qua autem vidua filios, aut nepotes habet: discat primum domum suam regere, et mutuam vicem reddere parentibus: hoc enim acceptum est coram Deo.[fn]
(When/But_if which however a_widow children, or nepotes has: learn first house/home his_own to_rule, and mutuam turn to_return to_parents: this because accepted it_is before to_God. )

5.4 Parentibus. Parentes sunt iidem, qui superius filii et nepotes. Unde et in mundana lege parens parenti jubetur per gradum succedere. Quibus mutuam vicem reddimus, cum a patribus educati sumus, et alios pari lege nutrimus.

5.4 Parentibus. Parentes are iidem, who/which above children and nepotes. From_where/who and in/into/on cleanna lawfully parens parenti be_ordered through levelm succedere. To_whom mutuam turn to_be_returnedmus, when/with from to_the_fathers educati we_are, and others pari lawfully nutrimus.

UGNT εἰ δέ τις χήρα, τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα ἔχει, μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν, καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις; τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(ei de tis ⱪaʸra, tekna aʸ ekgona eⱪei, manthanetōsan prōton ton idion oikon eusebein, kai amoibas apodidonai tois progonois; touto gar estin apodekton enōpion tou Theou.)

SBL-GNT εἰ δέ τις χήρα τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα ἔχει, μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις, τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
(ei de tis ⱪaʸra tekna aʸ ekgona eⱪei, manthanetōsan prōton ton idion oikon eusebein kai amoibas apodidonai tois progonois, touto gar estin apodekton enōpion tou theou.)

RP-GNT Εἰ δέ τις χήρα τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα ἔχει, μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν, καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις· τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
(Ei de tis ⱪaʸra tekna aʸ ekgona eⱪei, manthanetōsan prōton ton idion oikon eusebein, kai amoibas apodidonai tois progonois; touto gar estin apodekton enōpion tou theou.)

TC-GNT Εἰ δέ τις χήρα τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα ἔχει, μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν, καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις· τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν [fn]ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(Ei de tis ⱪaʸra tekna aʸ ekgona eⱪei, manthanetōsan prōton ton idion oikon eusebein, kai amoibas apodidonai tois progonois; touto gar estin apodekton enōpion tou Theou. )

5:4 αποδεκτον ¦ καλον και αποδεκτον ANT TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translation Notes:

Section 5:1–6:2: Paul told Timothy how to treat different groups of believers

Paragraph 5:3–8

A community of believers should care for widows who have no family to care for them.

5:4a

But if a widow has children or grandchildren,

But if a widow has children or grandchildren,

But: The Greek particle de that the BSB translates as But indicates that Paul was contrasting widows who had no family (5:3) with those who had a family (5:4a).

children or grandchildren: When Paul was saying children or grandchildren, he was referring to both men and women.

5:4b

they must first learn to show godliness

those children and grandchildren should learn to practice being godly first of all
they should begin to show that they believe in God

they must first learn: The Greek word that the BSB translates as they must…learn is a third-person command. That means that although Paul was giving the command to Timothy, he meant Timothy to pass it on to others. Paul was actually commanding the children and grandchildren to learn: it was their duty or obligation to take care of their families.

first: This means that one of the most important things for believers to do is to help their widowed mothers and grandmothers.

learn: In this context, the Greek word that the BSB translates as learn means to practice or learn by experience, rather than just from books or a teacher.

to show godliness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as to show godliness means “to show piety, be reverent.” Usually this verb is used about reverence to God. However, here it means that believers should show their devotion to God by the way in which they treat their own family. This is their duty as believers.

5:4c

to their own family

by caring for this member of their family.
by the way that they care for this widow who is part of their own family.

to their own family: Believers should take practical care of family members; that is, they should make sure that they have a place to live and enough to eat and wear.

their own family: The Greek word that the BSB translates as family literally means “house, household.” In Paul’s time, a “household” included servants as well as relatives such as grandparents (see the note on 3:12b). Paul wanted people to care for any widow in the household for whom they were responsible.

5:4d

and repay their parents,

In this way they can repay their mother or grandmother for caring for them.

repay: The Greek word that the BSB translates as repay means “to pay something back.” When the believers were children, these women cared for them. Paul wanted the believers to care for their mothers or grandmothers in the same way now.

parents: The Greek word that the BSB translates as parents literally means “ancestors.” In this context, Paul was especially talking about mothers and grandmothers. This was because they were the ones who most urgently needed someone to support them when they became widows.

5:4e

for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

For it pleases God when people do this.
For this is what God wants people to do.

for: The connector for introduces the reason that children and grandchildren should care for their mothers and grandmothers.

pleasing in the sight of God: The phrase pleasing in the sight of God refers to the way that God wants people to act. He is pleased when they do so.

General Comment on 5:4a–e

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder this verse. For example, you may need to say first that children should take care of their own family. Then you could say that this is the way that they should learn to put their religion into practice. One way to do this is:

^4aBut if a widow has children or grandchildren, ^4cthese should take care of their own family ^4dand repay their parents and grandparents. ^4bThis is the most important way for them to learn to put their religion into practice, ^4eand it is pleasing to God.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα

children (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ τὶς χήρα τέκνα ἤ ἔκγονα ἔχει μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τόν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν καί ἀμοιβάς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις τοῦτο γάρ ἐστίν ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul implies that these children and grandchildren are adults who are able to care for others. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [grown children or grandchildren]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πρῶτον

first

Here, the word first indicates that doing what Paul commands in this verse is very important. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [first of all] or [before anything else,]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative3p

μανθανέτωσαν

˱them˲_˓let_be˒_learning

If your language does not use the third-person imperative in this way, you could state this in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [they must learn]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

μανθανέτωσαν

˱them˲_˓let_be˒_learning

Here, learn represents experiencing something by doing it repeatedly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [let them consistently act] or [let them figure out how]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ τὶς χήρα τέκνα ἤ ἔκγονα ἔχει μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τόν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν καί ἀμοιβάς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις τοῦτο γάρ ἐστίν ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul implies that one important way to treat one’s family in a godly way is to take care of and provide for them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [to treat their own household in a godly way, especially by providing for them,]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of repayment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [to repay their forebears]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις

Here Paul speaks as if people taking care of their forebears were a repayment for how their forebears took care of them. He means that this is an appropriate way for people to treat their forebears given what the forebears did for them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to provide for their forebears in return for how their forebears provided for them]

Note 8 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γάρ

for

Here, the word for introduces a reason why children and grandchildren should care for their ancestors. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason or basis for a command, or you could leave for untranslated. Alternate translation: [since] or [which they should do because]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ

before ¬the God

Here, the phrase before God refers to God’s evaluation or view about something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in the eyes of God] or [to God]

Parallel 1 TIM 5:4