1 Timothy 5:9-16: a reflection

9Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10being 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. 11But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15For already some have turned away after Satan. 16If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

In giving instructions about honoring widows in the church, Paul describes the kind of life that adorns a believer: a life full of good works, of quiet service to others. A widow to be honored, he says, should be one approved by good works, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality to strangers, washed the saints' feet, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work. Paul paints a picture of a life adorned not with prominence or wealth, but with a steady record of good works: raising children, welcoming strangers, serving fellow believers, helping the afflicted, giving herself to good. This is a beautiful picture of a life worth honoring, a life full of quiet good works. A life adorned with good works is worth honoring. Quiet good works, faithfully done, adorn a life. Hospitality, service, relieving the afflicted: a life of good works. A steady record of good works marks a life worth honoring.

Notice what Paul holds up as the mark of an honorable life: not status, wealth, or prominence, but a record of good works, of humble service to others. The widow to be honored is one who has raised children, shown hospitality to strangers, served fellow believers even in humble ways, relieved those in affliction, and given herself to every good work. This is the picture of a life well lived in God's eyes: a life adorned with quiet, faithful good works, with care for others, with humble service. It is worth pausing over, because the world honors very different things: achievement, wealth, fame, position. But Paul holds up a life of good works, of care for children and strangers and the afflicted, of humble service, as the truly honorable life. This calls us to value and to cultivate such a life, one marked not by prominence but by a steady record of good works and care for others. A life of quiet good works and service to others is truly honorable. God honors a life full of care for others, not one full of status. Cultivate a life adorned with good works, not just achievement. The truly honorable life is one of humble, faithful good works.

That is worth taking to heart, for the truly honorable life is one adorned with good works and humble service to others, not one marked by status or wealth, as Paul described the widow worthy of honor. We can measure a worthy life by the world's standards of achievement, wealth, and prominence; but Paul held up a life of good works: raising children, welcoming strangers, serving others, relieving the afflicted, devoting oneself to good. Such a life is truly honorable. Do not measure your life only by achievement or status; cultivate a life adorned with good works and care for others. Cultivate a life adorned with good works and humble service to others rather than measuring your worth by status or achievement, as Paul described the honorable widow as one approved by good works, who had raised children, shown hospitality to strangers, served fellow believers, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work; for the world honors achievement, wealth, fame, and position, but Paul holds up a life of quiet, faithful good works and care for others, for children and strangers and the afflicted, as the truly honorable life in God's eyes, so that we do well to value and cultivate such a life, marked not by prominence but by a steady record of good works and humble service, rather than measuring ourselves by the world's standards.

Lord, in giving instructions about honoring widows in the church, Paul describes the kind of life that adorns a believer: a life full of good works, of quiet service to others. A widow to be honored, he says, should be one approved by good works, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality to strangers, washed the saints' feet, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work. Paul paints a picture of a life adorned not with prominence or wealth, but with a steady record of good works: raising children, welcoming strangers, serving fellow believers, helping the afflicted, giving herself to good. This is a beautiful picture of a life worth honoring. Show me what Paul holds up as the mark of an honorable life: not status, wealth, or prominence, but a record of good works, of humble service to others. This is the picture of a life well lived in your eyes: a life adorned with quiet, faithful good works, with care for others, with humble service. It is worth pausing over, because the world honors very different things: achievement, wealth, fame, position. But Paul holds up a life of good works, of care for children and strangers and the afflicted, of humble service, as the truly honorable life. This calls me to value and to cultivate such a life, one marked not by prominence but by a steady record of good works and care for others. Take that to my heart, for the truly honorable life is one adorned with good works and humble service, not status or wealth. Keep me from measuring my life only by achievement or status; help me cultivate a life adorned with good works and care for others, Lord, marked by quiet, faithful service to children and strangers and the afflicted, rather than by the world's standards of prominence.