A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Timothy 5:3

"Honor widows that are widows indeed." — 1 Timothy 5:3 (ASV)

That are widows indeed (τας οντως χηρας). For οντως (actually, really), see Lu 23:47; 1 Corinthians 14:25; and verse 5. For widows (χηρα) see Mr 12:40,42; Acts 6:1; 1 Corinthians 7:8. Parry notes that in verses 3-8 Paul discusses widows who are in distress and 9-16 those who are in the employment of the local church for certain work. Evidently, as in Acts 6:1-6, so here in Ephesus there had arisen some trouble over the widows in the church. Both for individual cases of need and as a class Timothy is to show proper respect (τιμα, keep on honouring) the widows.