Bible Strands
1 Timothy 5:2
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, placing this directive between instructions to honor true widows and address older and younger men. The moment is a pastoral letter detailing how church members should relate across age and gender lines.
The words — πρεσβυτέρας (presbuteras) means elder women, and ἀδελφὰς (adelphas) means sisters. The phrase ἐν πᾇσῃ (en pasē) literally renders the condition "in all" or "with absolute purity."
The thread — This familial address mirrors the instruction in 1 Timothy 5:1 regarding older men and younger men. It echoes Matthew 12:50’s redefinition of family around obedience to God, while Philippians 4:8 reinforces the call to purity.
Why it lands — The text commands treating older women with maternal respect and younger women with sibling-like boundaries. It requires readers to enforce strict relational purity in all interactions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- Matthew 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
- Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- 1 Timothy 5:3 Honor the widows who are truly widows.
- John 19:26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
- 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.