Lexical Summary teknotropheó: To bring up children, to rear, to nourish Original Word: τεκνοτροφέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring up children. From a compound of teknon and trepho; to be a childrearer, i.e. Fulfil the duties of a female parent -- bring up children. see GREEK teknon see GREEK trepho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of teknon and a derivation of trephó Definition to rear children NASB Translation brought up children (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5044: τεκνοτροφέωτεκνοτροφέω, τεκνοτρόφω: 1 aorist ἐτεκνοτρόφησα; (τεκνοτροφος, and this from τέκνον and τρέφω); to bring up children: 1 Timothy 5:10. (φέρει ὑδδορ, ὅταν τεκνοτροφη, namely, the bee, Aristotle, h. a. 9, 40 (27), 14 (p. 625{b}, 20).) Topical Lexicon Primary New Testament SettingThe term appears only once in the Greek New Testament, in Paul’s instructions concerning the qualifications for enrollment of widows in the church’s official list (1 Timothy 5:10). There the apostle requires that a widow be “well known for good works: if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress, and devoted herself to every good work” (Berean Standard Bible). The single occurrence does not diminish its weight. By placing the care and nurturing of children first among a cluster of charitable deeds, Paul identifies it as a foundational evidence of a life shaped by the gospel. First-Century Cultural Background In the Greco-Roman world, childbearing and rearing were generally viewed as domestic duties necessary for the preservation of family lines and civic stability. Yet unwanted infants could be exposed, sold, or left at orphanages. Against this backdrop, the early church distinguished itself by honoring the nurture of children—whether biological, adopted, or abandoned—as a virtuous, God-honoring ministry. Paul’s wording assumes that Christian women who raised children did so not merely to maintain a household but to cultivate lives dedicated to Christ and His people. Consequently, the church’s valuation of such labor challenged prevailing social norms and elevated the status of self-giving motherhood and guardianship. Theology of Child Nurture 1. Stewardship of Life. Scripture presents children as divine gifts (Psalm 127:3) entrusted to parents who must teach them the fear of the LORD (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Christian caregiving is therefore a ministry of stewardship. 2. Discipleship in the Home. The home is the first mission field. Timothy himself was shaped by the sincere faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul’s reference to child-nurture in 1 Timothy 5:10 draws on that principle: raising children becomes a formative act that fills the church with mature believers. 3. Visible Fruit of Faith. Genuine faith produces good works (James 2:17). By listing child-rearing alongside hospitality and mercy ministry, Paul urges the church to recognize motherly (or guardian-like) care as spiritual fruit observable by the congregation. Connections with the Old Testament • Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD before he was born (1 Samuel 1:11, 27-28). These narratives portray child-nurture as covenantal service—preserving the lineage through which God’s saving purposes unfold. Related New Testament Teaching • Jesus welcomed children, declaring, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14). Such passages confirm that Christian pedagogy and compassion begin in the family and radiate outward to the body of Christ. Role in Early Church Structure The “widows’ roll” (1 Timothy 5) functioned as both a benevolence program and a corps of prayer and service. Child-nurture, although typically fulfilled earlier in life, was scrutinized when assessing a widow’s qualifications. This reveals at least three things: 1. The church formally evaluated domestic faithfulness when recognizing public servants. Implications for Ministry Today • Family Discipleship as Mission Strategy. Evangelism often flourishes where the gospel is first modeled in parent-child relationships. • Recognition of Unseen Labor. Many acts of nurture go unnoticed, yet Scripture inscribes them among “good works.” Churches should celebrate and support parents and guardians, including foster and adoptive families. • Qualification for Leadership. While the contemporary church does not keep an identical “widows’ roll,” the principle endures: proven faithfulness in the home undergirds credibility in broader ministry (compare 1 Timothy 3:4-5). • Mercy toward Orphans. Historic Christian practice transformed abandoned infants into cherished sons and daughters. Modern believers extend this legacy through adoption, foster care, and orphan-aid ministries. Examples from Church History • Early apologists such as Aristides noted that Christians “save the abandoned children” rather than leave them exposed. Each case embodies the same virtue Paul highlighted: nurturing the young as a testimony to the gospel’s compassion. Interrelated Biblical Themes Good works (1 Timothy 2:10, Titus 2:14) Hospitality (Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9) Mercy ministry (James 1:27) Servant leadership (Mark 10:43-45) Generational faithfulness (Psalm 78:5-7) Summary By foregrounding exemplary child-nurture in 1 Timothy 5:10, Scripture affirms that caring for, training, and protecting children is not a peripheral domestic chore but a central, God-honoring ministry. Such work shapes future disciples, authenticates personal faith, stabilizes the church, and manifests the loving character of God who Himself adopts believers as His children through Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations ετεκνοτροφησεν ετεκνοτρόφησεν ἐτεκνοτρόφησεν ετέκταινον τέκταινε τεκταίνεται τεκταινομένη τεκταινόμενος τεκταινομένου τεκταινόντων τεκταίνουσι τεκταίνουσιν τεκτονικά eteknotrophesen eteknotrophēsen eteknotróphesen eteknotróphēsenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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