What Does the Bible Say About Taking Care of the Elderly?
Here are 18 Bible verses about Taking Care of the Elderly, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #11 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
BSBIf anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- #2Leviticus 19:32
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.
BSBYou are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.
- #3Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
BSBIn everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- #4Psalms 71:9
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
BSBDo not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
- #5Isaiah 46:4
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
BSBEven to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.
- #61 Timothy 5:1
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
BSBDo not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
- #7Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
BSBHonor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
- #81 Timothy 5:4
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.
BSBBut if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
- #9Proverbs 16:31
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
BSBGray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
- #10Proverbs 23:22
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
BSBListen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
- #11James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
BSBPure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
- #12Job 12:12
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
BSBWisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.
- #13Ephesians 6:2
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
BSB“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),
- #141 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
BSBYoung men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- #15Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
BSBThe glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
- #161 Timothy 5:3-4
Honour widows that are widows indeed. 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.
BSBHonor the widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
- #171 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
BSBElders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- #18Luke 2:36-38
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; 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. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
BSBThere was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).