In the biblical context, widows hold a significant place, and the care for them is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The Bible emphasizes the responsibility of the community, particularly the saints, to provide for and relieve widows, reflecting God's compassion and justice.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law provided specific instructions for the care of widows, highlighting their vulnerability and the community's duty to protect them. In Deuteronomy 10:18, God is described as one who "executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This divine attribute sets a precedent for the people of Israel to emulate God's care for widows.

The Book of Ruth provides a narrative example of this care, where Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer for Ruth, a Moabite widow, ensuring her protection and provision (Ruth 2-4). This account illustrates the broader principle of community responsibility towards widows.

New Testament Instructions

The New Testament continues this theme, with the early church taking active steps to support widows. In Acts 6:1-6, the apostles address the neglect of Hellenistic widows in the daily distribution of food, appointing deacons to ensure their needs are met. This passage underscores the importance of organized care within the church community.

The Apostle Paul provides specific instructions regarding the care of widows in 1 Timothy 5:3-16. He writes, "Honor widows who are truly widows" (1 Timothy 5:3), distinguishing between those who have family to support them and those who are truly destitute. Paul emphasizes that the church should support widows who are left alone and have set their hope on God, continuing in supplications and prayers (1 Timothy 5:5).

Paul also advises that younger widows should remarry to avoid idleness and potential gossip (1 Timothy 5:14). This guidance reflects a practical approach to ensuring that widows are cared for while maintaining the integrity and witness of the church community.

Theological Implications

The care for widows is deeply rooted in the character of God and His call for justice and mercy. James 1:27 encapsulates this principle: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" . This verse highlights that true faith is demonstrated through acts of compassion and service to those in need.

The biblical mandate to relieve widows is not merely a social obligation but a reflection of the gospel's transformative power. By caring for widows, the saints embody the love and grace of Christ, serving as a testament to the world of God's kingdom values.Acts 9:39
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... Therefore the receiving of strangers, and the washing of the Saints' feet, he ... "If
any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

Appendix (Referred to in Note 1)
... to the provision to be made for widows, making a ... by them (or that they take care
and relieve them) supposing ... prospered them, for the relief of the poor Saints. ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/appendix referred to in note.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... 8): "Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given." And
(1 Timothy 5, 10) he would relieve widows who washed the feet of the saints. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

The Last Season
... upon the world, God sometimes removes his saints out of ... prolonged, yet God desires
by death to relieve you from ... keep them alive, and let thy widows trust in me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

The Extraordinary Teachers of the Apostolic Church; and Its ...
... 5] who were originally appointed to relieve the apostles of ... that the whole commonwealth
of the saints had a ... the poor, masters and slaves, young men and widows. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the extraordinary teachers.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 1
... never thinkest of poverty: but when need is to relieve poverty, thou ... And why do I
speak of saints? ... For, saith He, "there were many widows in the days of Elias ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 2 cor ix.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... sent by the Christians at Antioch, to relieve their poor ... distribution of daily
necessaries to the widows and needy ... as "The Brethren," and as "Saints." In this ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... Are the names of the saints written in heaven, and ... in decay with thee, then thou
shalt relieve him' (Leviticus 25 ... increase for the use of the widows and orphans ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

Rom. xii. 4, 5
... upon, but "share with the necessity [1544] of the saints," to show ... How many widows
were there in Israel ... Thou dost not relieve the poverty, why make it even more ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxi rom xii 4.htm

The Fatherhood of God
... Widows, somehow or other, are always well eared for. ... "Saints in prayer appear as
one." for when they get on ... knowest my wants, and thou art willing to relieve me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the fatherhood of god.htm

Should a Christian go on welfare? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about feeding the hungry? | GotQuestions.org

What does Jesus want us to learn from what He said about the widow's mite? | GotQuestions.org

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