John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 5:4

"But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God." — 1 Timothy 5:4 (ASV)

If any widow: There are various ways of explaining this passage. The ambiguity arises because the latter clause may refer either to widows or to their children. Nor does the plural form of the verb (let them learn), while Paul spoke of a widow in the singular, conflict with this, for a change of number is very common in general discourse—that is, when the writer speaks of a whole class and not of an individual.

Those who think that it relates to widows hold the opinion that the meaning is, “let them learn, by the pious governance of their family, to repay to their successors the education that they received from their ancestors.” This is the explanation given by Chrysostom and some others. However, others think it is more natural to interpret it as relating to children and grandchildren.

Accordingly, in their opinion, the Apostle teaches that the mother or grandmother is the person towards whom they should exercise their piety. For nothing is more natural than (ἀντιπελαργία) the return of filial for parental affection, and it is very unreasonable that this should be excluded from the Church. Before the Church is burdened with them, let them do their duty.

Thus far, I have related the opinions of others. But I wish my readers to consider if it would not agree better with the context in this manner: “Let them learn to conduct themselves in a godly manner at home.”

It is as if he had said that it would be valuable as preparatory instruction for them to train themselves in the worship of God by performing godly duties at home towards their relatives. For nature commands us to love our parents next to God, and this secondary piety leads to the highest piety.

And as Paul saw that the very rights of nature were violated under the pretense of religion, he commanded, in order to correct this fault, that widows should be trained by domestic apprenticeship to the worship of God.

Regarding the phrase To shew piety towards their own house: almost all commentators take the verb εὐσεβεῖν in an active sense because it is followed by an accusative. However, that is not a conclusive argument, for it is common for Greek authors to have a preposition understood.

This interpretation agrees well with the context: that by cultivating human piety, they should train themselves in the worship of God, so that a foolish and silly devotion does not divest them of human feelings. Again, let widows learn to repay what they owe to their ancestors by educating their own offspring.

For this is good and acceptable before God. Not to show gratitude to our ancestors is universally acknowledged to be monstrous, for that is a lesson taught to us by natural reason.

And not only is this conviction natural to all—that affection towards parents is the second degree of piety—but the very storks teach us gratitude by their example; and this is the etymology of the word ἀντιπελαργία.

But Paul, not satisfied with this, declares that God has sanctioned it, as if he had said, “There is no reason for anyone to think that it has its origin in human opinion, but God has so ordained.”