1Do not [sharply] rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2older women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3Honor widows who are truly widows. 4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn how to carry out their religious duty towards their own family, and to repay their parents. This is good and2070 acceptable in the sight of God. 5Those who are truly widows and abandoned2071 are the ones who have placed their hope in God and who persevere in petitions and prayers night and day. 6But those who live in luxury are dead even as they live. 7Give strict orders regarding these matters, so that they may be without reproach. 8If anyone does not provide for his own, especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever! 9Only widows who are more than sixty years old and who were married to one man should be enrolled [as widows]. 10They should be approved by good works: having brought up children, having been hospitable to strangers, having washed the saints’ feet, having relieved the afflicted, and having pursued every good work with attention. 11On the other hand, do not enroll younger widows: when they are overcome by their sensual inclinations more than by Christ, they desire to marry. 12[Thus they] fall under condemnation because they have rejected their first pledge {to remain among the widows}. 13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and go about from house to house. They are not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they should not. 14Therefore, I think it best that the younger widows should get married, bear children, and manage their homes; this will give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15For already some have strayed to follow Satan. 16Believers who have widows among their close relatives should take care of them. Do not allow the Church to be burdened, so that it might relieve [only] those who are truly widows.
Guidelines pertaining to presbyters
17Presbyters who rule well should be accounted worthy of double honor,2072 especially those who work hard in preaching and teaching. 18As the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain,”2073 and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”2074
19Do not receive an accusation against a presbyter, except at the word of two or three witnesses.2075 20Reprove those who have sinned in the sight of all, so that the others may also be in fear. 21I command you in the sight of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels: observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by inclination2076. 22Do not lay your hands hastily on anyone and do not be a participant in someone else’s sins. Keep yourself pure. 23Do not drink only water but use a little wine for your stomach and because of your frequent illnesses.
24The sins of some people are obvious long before they come to judgment while others are discovered only later. 25Likewise, good works are obvious, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Rules for slaves
- Other ancient manuscripts lack “good and”
- Or “desolate/left alone”
- Perhaps “double compensation”
- Deuteronomy 25:4 LXX
- Luke 10:7; Leviticus 19:13
- See Appendix A
- Some manuscripts read “with partiality” instead of “by inclination”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
