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This lengthy treatment of widows reflects the importance to the church of their care (see Ac 6). Paul sets guidelines for honoring widows who are really in need (literal Greek shows emphasis).
In 5:4-8 Paul says that a widow who has children and grandchildren should be cared for by her own family since this is pleasing to God (see Jas 1:27). Such responsibilities are commanded (v.7); in fact, if not followed, the offender has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (v.8). Clearly, God considers provision for one’s family to be an essential aspect of living the faith.
1Ti 5:9-10 sets criteria for listing widows. On the list (Gk., “enrolled”) indicates that the early church kept a roll of those who qualified to receive help. For faithful to her husband see notes on 3:2-3. The NIV correctly identifies most of 5:10 as illustrations of good works that should characterize an enrolled widow. Note that these are service-oriented actions involving hospitality and may have included a ministry of prayer (v.5).
1Ti 5:11-15 discusses younger widows, who are to be encouraged to marry. Broken their first pledge seems to indicate that the listed widow took a vow of dedication to Christ (v.12). Vv.13-15 are a vivid reminder of Paul’s concern that Christians live above reproach (see ch. 3).
In 5:16 Paul returns to the subject of vv.3-4. Paul’s primary concern is that the church care for widows who have no one else to care for them. This social concern is still important to us. Wesley saw this text as one more illustration of the church’s duty to care for the less fortunate in an organized and systematic way (Works, 8:265).