But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety at home, and so repay their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Let her learn first He gives this as a mark to know if widows deserve to be maintained out of the common stock; if they have been careful of their own family, and to assist their parents, if yet alive. In most Greek copies, and in the Syriac, is read, let them learn; i.e. let the children and grandchildren learn to govern their family, and to assist their parents, when they are widows; that, as it is said in ver. 16., the Church may not be burthened with maintaining them. (Witham)
Let her render to her children the same good services she has received from her parents, that she may also expect from them what is her due as mother. (Theodoret)
Observe the discretion of Paul, how often he urges us to attend to human considerations. For he does not here lay down any great and lofty motive but one that is easy to be understood: “to requite their parents.” Why? For bringing them up and educating them. It is as if he should say, you have received from them great care. They are departed. You cannot compensate them. For you did not bring them forth or nourish them. Compensate them in their descendants. Repay the debt through the children.
Observe the discretion of Paul; how often he urges men from human considerations. For he does not here lay down any great and lofty motive, but one that is easy to be understood: to requite their parents. How? For bringing them up and educating them. As if he should say, You have received from them great care. They are departed. You can not requite them. For thou did not bring them forth, nor nourish them. Requite them in their descendants, repay the debt through the children. Let them learn first to show piety at home. Here he more simply exhorts them to acts of kindness; then to excite them the more, he adds,
For that is good and acceptable before God. And as he had spoken of those who are widows indeed, he declares who is indeed a widow.
