Giving Back to the Privious Generation.
Recently I moved back to Williamsburg, Va. where my parents reside. Through many great confirmations by God I was sent back home; one of them being this verse (along with vs 9 of the same chapter. To be exegeted in another post).
4 εἰ δέ τις χήρα1 τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα2 ἔχει, μανθανέτωσαν3 πρῶτον τὸν ἴδιον
οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν4 καὶ ἀμοιβὰς5 ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις6, τοῦτο γάρ
ἐστιν ἀπόδεκτον7 ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
1 Tim 5:4
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them continue learning to show Godliness (to be Godly?) first to their own family and to give back, the care that was given to them (requite), to their forefathers (parents and grandparents), for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
My Translation
The main verb is manthanetosan (“Let them learn”, which refers back to the children and grandchildren). Then, the verb is followed by two infinitives that show what “they” are to learn: 1) to show godliness (to be godly?) and 2) to give back.
The main verb is an imperative: command. Not a suggestion. These are two of the things we are supposed to be doing: learning to show godliness and give back. This verb is in the present tense so it denotes a continual process.
There is no word for “some” in the passage as NASB renders it. All are to give back recompense: children and grandchildren. All are to show Godliness. Think about what they did (or were supposed to do) for you as a child and even now for most of us. When they get old (In this case Widows) and need help who is primarily responsible? We are: children and grandchildren. We must take care of our living forefathers in all Godliness.
The Lord led me back to live with or near mine. They needed my help. Recently a friend of mine moved his mother in law from TX all the way to TN to help watch over her as she ages. He is also planning on moving his own mother to TN from CO. Both are a widow.
Showing Godliness and giving back can take on many different shapes: Some people move back home to help parents; some people move their widowed mother out to them. But the impotent thing to see is that the responsibility to take care of the previous generations (in this case a widow) falls on the children and grandchildren. What are some ways you can begin to show Godliness to and give back to your parents and grandparents?
Three other translation:
4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. (NIV)
4 But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. (NLT)
4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, (A)they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is (B)acceptable in the sight of God. (NASB)
Uncle Mark is doing that too. Moving Gramma up to where he and Angela live. I really respect that.
thanks be to God for this encouraging word, Danny.
present day, I am volunteer helping in a home where the children & grandchildren are reluctant to give their returns; as the many years begin to rob these dear folks of memory and cognitive features.
While I Timothy 5:4 is a living application (as your “move” demonstrates), the land is filled with broken families, orphans, and (dare say) the love of many has grown cold.
In ekklesia (we, the body of Christ), an open opportunity in caring for one another presents anew each day.
I don’t feel obligated to wait years for my (quite independent-minded) parents to consent care. Who is my/our family member? He/she who does the will of the Father.
Paul often writes in the style of an exasperated parent to the churches, even at times to settling for would-be bare minimums. Traveling some, I’ve found the ekklesia to be beautiful and (at places) comprehensive in love. We ought not regard ourselves to be going it alone, with children or parents.