Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Timothy 5:10

"well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints` feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work." — 1 Timothy 5:10 (ASV)

Well reported of for good works. Of good character or reputation. (See the comments on 1 Timothy 3:7).

If she has brought up children. Either her own or others. The idea is, if she has done this in a proper manner.

If she has lodged strangers. If she has been characterized by hospitality—a virtue greatly commended in the Scriptures. (Compare to the comments on 1 Timothy 3:2).

If she has washed the saints' feet. It is not certain whether this is to be understood literally, or whether it merely means that she had performed duties of a humble and self-denying kind—such as would be shown by washing the feet of others. It was one of the rites of hospitality in the East to wash the feet of the guest (Genesis 18:4), and Paul might have spoken of this as having been literally performed. There is not the slightest evidence that he refers to it as a religious rite or ordinance, any more than he does to the act of bringing up children as a religious rite. (See the comments on John 13:1 and following).

If she has relieved the afflicted. If it has been her character that she was ready to provide relief to those who were in distress.

If she has diligently followed every good work. This is one of the characteristics of true piety. A sincere Christian will, like God, be the friend of all that is good, and will be ready to promote every good object according to his ability. He will not merely be the friend of one good cause, to the neglect of others, but he will endeavor to promote every good object, and though from particular circumstances and unique dealings of Providence, he may have been particularly interested in some one object of charity, yet every good object will find a response in his heart, and he will be ready to promote it by his influence, his property, and his prayers.