1 Timothy 5 · Verse 10

1 Timothy 5:10

Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1 Timothy 5:10, King James Version

1 Timothy 5:10 in other translations

BSB	and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
WEB	being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
ASV	well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
YLT	in good works being testified to: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if saints' feet she washed, if those in tribulation she relieved, if every good work she followed after;
DARBY	borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.
BBE	And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.
Webster	Well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

What does 1 Timothy 5:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. for good works--Greek, "IN honourable (excellent) works"; the sphere or element in which the good report of her had place (Tit 2:7). This answers to 1Ti 3:7, as to the bishop or presbyter, "He must have a good report of them which are without." if--if, in addition to being "well reported of." she ... brought up children--either her own (1Ti 3:4, 12), or those of others, which is one of the "good works"; a qualification adapting her for ministry to orphan children, and to mothers of families. lodged strangers--1Ti 3:2, "given to hospitality" (Tit 1:8); in the case of presbyters. washed ... saints' feet--after the example of the Lord (Joh 13:14); a specimen of the universal spirit of humbly "by love serving one another," which actuated the early Christians. relieved the afflicted--whether by pecuniary or other relief. followed ... good--(1Th 5:15; compare instances in Mt 25:35, 36).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. Well reported of for good works. Of good character or reputation. 1Timm 3:7.

If she have brought up children. Either her own or others. The idea is, if she has done this in a proper manner.

If she have lodged strangers. If she has been characterized by hospitality--a virtue greatly commended in the Scriptures. Comp. 1Timm 3:2

If she have washed the saints' feet. It is not certain whether this is to be understood literally, or whether it merely denotes that she had performed offices of a humble and self-denying kind--such as would be shown by washing the feet of others. It was one of the rites of hospitality in the East to wash the feet of the guest, Gen 18:4, and Paul might have spoken of this as having been literally performed. There is not the slightest evidence that he refers to it as a religious rite, or ordinance, any more than he does to the act of bringing up children as a religious rite. Jn 13:1 and following.

If she have relieved the afflicted. If it has been her character that she was ready to furnish relief to those who were in distress.

If she have diligently followed every good work. This is one of the characteristics of true piety. A sincere Christian will, like God, be the friend of all that is good, and will be ready to promote every good object according to his ability. He will not merely be the friend of one good cause, to the neglect of others, but he will endeavour to promote every good object, and though from peculiar circumstances, and peculiar dealings of Providence, he may have been particularly interested in some one object of charity, yet every good object will find a response in his heart, and he will be ready to promote it by his influence, his property, and his prayers.

(b) "lodged" Acts 16:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 Well reported of for good works - Numbers being able to bear testimony, as the word implies, that she has not only avoided all sin, but that she has walked according to the testimony of God. Brought up children - It was customary among the Gentiles to expose their children, when so poor that they were not able to provide for them. Pious and humane people took these up; and fed, clothed, and educated them. The words brought up may refer to the children of others, who were educated in the Christian faith by pious Christian women. Lodged strangers - If she have been given to hospitality, freely contributing to the necessitous, when she had it in her power. Washed the saints' feet - This was an office of humanity shown to all strangers and travelers in the eastern countries, who, either walking barefoot, or having only a sort of sole to defend the foot, needed washing when they came to their journey's end. Pious women generally did this act of kindness. Relieved the afflicted - Visited and ministered to the sick. Diligently followed every good work - In a word, if she have been altogether a Christian, living according to the precepts of the Gospel, and doing the Lord's work with all her heart, soul, and strength. From the character given here of the widow indeed, it may be doubted whether χηρα, widow, was not in some cases the name of an office, which name it might have from being ordinarily filled by widows. It can hardly be supposed that any widow, unless she had considerable property, could have done the things enumerated in this verse, some of which would occasion no small expense. The widow indeed may mean a person who was to be employed in some office in the Church; and Timothy is enjoined not to take any into that office unless she had been before remarkable for piety and humanity. Some think that the widows of whom the apostle speaks had been deaconesses, and wished now to be taken on what might be termed the superannuated list; and the apostle lays down rules for the admission of such, the sum of which is: Let none come on this superannuated list unless she be at least sixty years of age, and can bring proof of her having conscientiously discharged the office and duty of a deaconess.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9-16

Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 5:9-16 →

1 Timothy 5:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνeninG1722

ἔργοιςergoisworksG2041

καλοῖςkaloisgoodG2570

μαρτυρουμένη,marturoumenēbeing borne witness to,G3140

εἰeiifG1487

ἐτεκνοτρόφησεν,eteknotrophēsenshe has brought up children,G5044

εἰeiifG1487

ἐξενοδόχησεν,exenodochēsenshe entertained strangers,G3580

εἰeiifG1487

ἁγίωνhagiōnsaints’G40

πόδαςpodasfeetG4228

ἔνιψεν,enipsenshe has washed,G3538

εἰeiifG1487

θλιβομένοιςthlibomenoisto those being oppressedG2346

ἐπήρκεσεν,epērkesenshe has imparted relief,G1884

εἰeiifG1487

παντὶpantito everyG3956

ἔργῳergōworkG2041

ἀγαθῷagathōgoodG18

ἐπηκολούθησεν.epēkolouthēsenshe has followed after.G1872

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 5:10

1 Timothy 6:18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Acts 9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Titus 2:7
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2 Timothy 3:17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Luke 7:44
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Romans 12:13
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Titus 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Genesis 18:4
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

reported.
3:7; Ac 6:3; 10:22; 22:12; 3Jo 1:12
good.
25; 2:10; 6:18; Mt 5:16; Ac 9:36; Eph 2:10; 2Ti 3:17; Tit 2:7; 3:8
Tit 3:14; Heb 10:24; 13:21; 1Pe 2:12
if she have brought.
2Ti 1:5; 3:15
if she have lodged.
Ac 16:14,15; Ro 12:13; Heb 13:2; 1Pe 4:9
washed.
Ge 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; Lu 7:38,44; Joh 13:5-15
if she have relieved.
Le 25:35; Isa 1:17; Ac 9:39
if she have diligently.
Ps 119:4; Col 1:10; 2Ti 2:21; Tit 2:14; 3:1,8; *Gr:

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Timothy 5:9
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
1 Timothy 5:10
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 Timothy 5:11
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

Read all of 1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Que tenga testimonio en buenas obras; si crió hijos; si ha ejercitado la hospitalidad; si ha lavado los pies de los santos; si ha socorrido á los afligidos; si ha seguido toda buena obra.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	ayant le témoignage d’avoir marché dans les bonnes œuvres, – si elle a élevé des enfants, si elle a logé des étrangers, si elle a lavé les pieds des saints, si elle a secouru ceux qui sont dans la tribulation, si elle s’est appliquée à toute bonne œuvre.
German Elberfelder 1871	ein Zeugnis hat in guten Werken, wenn sie Kinder auferzogen, wenn sie Fremde beherbergt, wenn sie der Heiligen Füße gewaschen, wenn sie Bedrängten Hülfe geleistet hat, wenn sie jedem guten Werke nachgegangen ist.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	in operibus bonis testimonium habens, si filios educavit, si hospitio recepit, si sanctorum pedes lavit, si tribulationem patientibus subministravit, si omne opus bonum subsecuta est.