What does "repaying their parents" mean in the context of 1 Timothy 5:4? Setting the Scene: 1 Timothy 5:4 “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice godliness toward their own household and to repay their parents; for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” Key Word: “Repay” (Greek: apodidōnai) • Literally means “to give back, return, recompense, make good.” • Implies an owed debt, not a voluntary extra. • Stresses concrete action—material and personal—rather than mere sentiment. How Scripture Defines the Debt Owed to Parents • Exodus 20:12 — “Honor your father and your mother.” • Proverbs 23:22 — “Listen to your father…and do not despise your mother when she is old.” • Matthew 15:4-6 — Jesus condemns the Corban loophole that dodged financial support. • Ephesians 6:2 — “Honor your father and mother” is the first command with a promise. Taken together, “repaying” means children and grandchildren actively meeting the real-life needs of aging parents and grandparents—physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual. What “Repaying Their Parents” Looks Like • Financial provision—housing, food, medical care. • Practical aid—chores, transportation, advocacy in health or legal matters. • Regular presence—visits, listening, companionship. • Spiritual encouragement—prayer, Scripture reading, church connection. • Respectful speech and decision-making that preserves dignity. Why God Calls It “Pleasing” • Reflects His own character as a faithful Father (Psalm 68:5). • Upholds the created order of family responsibility (Genesis 2:24; 1 Timothy 3:5). • Models the gospel: Christ repaid our debt; we mirror that grace to those who gave us life (2 Corinthians 8:9). Consequences of Neglecting This Duty • 1 Timothy 5:8 — “If anyone does not provide for his own…he has denied the faith.” • Proverbs 28:24 — Robbing father or mother and saying “It is not wrong” aligns one with “a destroyer.” • Matthew 15:6 — Nullifying God’s word by man-made excuses draws Christ’s rebuke. Practical Steps for Today 1. Assess parents’ needs honestly: financial, medical, relational, spiritual. 2. Share the load among siblings and grandchildren; no single family member bears it all. 3. Budget intentionally; supporting parents is a top-line item, not leftover giving. 4. Incorporate them into daily life—meals, celebrations, worship. 5. Plan long-term: legal documents, health directives, inheritance management done honorably. The Promise Attached Honoring and repaying parents aligns us with God’s promise of well-being and longevity (Ephesians 6:2-3), and it displays genuine godliness “that is pleasing in the sight of God.” |
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