1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Timothy 5:8
This is a stern exhortation on personal responsibility within the household of faith: if anyone does not provide for his own, especially those in his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. The standard is intentionally high, linking practical care for family with spiritual seriousness.
The verse foregrounds the sanctity of family obligations and the ethical dimension of faith. It warns against hypocrisy: claiming faith while neglecting basic duties undermines the gospel’s witness. It also reflects the early church’s expectation that believers support and sustain their households as a form of moral and spiritual discipline.
In today’s churches, the verse invites families to shoulder responsibilities—parents caring for children, spouses supporting one another, and adult children stewarding aging parents. For individuals, it asks: are we meeting our duties even when it’s difficult? The verse also suggests the church should be cautious about enabling dependency and should aim to empower families to fulfill their obligations, offering support when needed but avoiding enablement of laziness.
Cross-References
- Proverbs 28:27
- 1 Timothy 5:4
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10
- Romans 12:11-13