Topical Bible: Widows: should not Be: Treated With Violence

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In the biblical context, widows are often highlighted as a vulnerable group deserving of special care and protection. The Scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of treating widows with compassion and justice, reflecting God's own concern for their well-being.

The Old Testament law explicitly commands the Israelites to protect widows from mistreatment. In Exodus 22:22-24 , God warns, "You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children fatherless." This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views the mistreatment of widows, associating such actions with severe divine retribution.

The Psalms also reflect God's protective stance towards widows. Psalm 68:5 describes God as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows," highlighting His role as a protector and advocate for those who are vulnerable. This imagery reinforces the expectation that God's people should mirror His character by defending and supporting widows.

In the prophetic literature, the mistreatment of widows is often cited as evidence of societal injustice and moral decay. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts the people to "learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." This call to action indicates that caring for widows is integral to living a life of righteousness and justice.

The New Testament continues this theme, with the early church being instructed to care for widows. In 1 Timothy 5:3 , Paul advises, "Honor the widows who are truly widows." This directive implies a responsibility to ensure that widows are treated with dignity and respect, rather than neglect or abuse.

James 1:27 further emphasizes the importance of caring for widows as a reflection of true religion: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This verse suggests that caring for widows is not merely a social obligation but a spiritual one, integral to living out one's faith.

Throughout Scripture, the consistent message is clear: widows should not be treated with violence or neglect. Instead, they are to be protected, honored, and supported, reflecting God's own compassion and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 22:3
Thus said the LORD; Execute you judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Second Canonical Epistle of the Same.
... be interrogated too, and that a profession should be demanded ... A widow put into the
catalogue of widows, that is ... women, and their accomplices, be not admitted to ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the second canonical epistle of.htm

Letter xii. Leo, Bishop of the City of Rome, to all the Bishops of ...
... barbarians, and have lost their spotless purity not in spirit ... ought to be observed
that they should be neither degraded to the rank of widows [115] nor ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xii leo bishop of.htm

1 Timothy v. 21-23
... and Deacons, of men, and women, of widows and elders ... messenger of Satan" was sent
that he should not be "exalted ... in this passage, but its readings are not given ...
/.../homily xvi 1 timothy v.htm

Athanasius' Account of the Deeds of violence Committed at ...
... and the dwellings even of orphans and widows were forcibly ... provision out of the public
revenue should be given him ... Adding that he himself did not act wisely in ...
/.../chapter xxviii athanasius account of the.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... upon a great contest, [3959]ib.; should be an ... Widowhood, better not professed than
to be forsaken, [3990 ... Widows, what makes, [3993]450; to receive honor from ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

part iii.
... For our fixed determination is, that you should continue, agreeably ... many were urged
by their children, not to be ... How many widows and how many orphans, who were ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part iii 2.htm

The Invisible Patriarch
... His Church forever and that the gates of Hell should not prevail against ... They had
not long to wait ... were burned down; Bishops, priests, virgins, widows"all, in ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 8 the invisible patriarch.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... To do injustice to widows, to pillage pupils, to molest ... in those which are of God,
there should be the ... which, even the sacraments themselves are not sacraments ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

1 Cor. xvi. 1
... we see that such an one who invited widows and made ... also of the resources out of
which you should make your ... And this also do thou practise not in selling only ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xliii 1 cor xvi.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... Therefore Paul condemns widows, not because they marry, for he ... And all godly minds
should certainly know that the ... on account of them, and not through mercy on ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm