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.
All Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:4 Go To 1 Timothy 5
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)
