How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)
Quote #4
Women [deacons] likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:11-13, NRSV)
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:11-13, KJV)
But wait a second. Women can be leaders, too? (The King James version sees it a little differently…) The Pastor goes through all kinds of qualifications for male deacons and then he throws in a few tidbits for female deacons, too. This passage jibes with what we know about the early church: ladies played a bigger role than we might realize.
Quote #5
Honor widows who are really widows […] The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; but the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. (1 Timothy 5:3, 5-6, NRSV)
Honour widows that are widows indeed […] Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. (1 Timothy 5:3, 5-6, KJV)
You might think that any woman who's lost a husband would be considered a widow…but you would be wrong. There are widows and then there are widows. See the difference? A real widow is pious and prayerful. Cracking smiles is not allowed. For shame, fake widows. For shame.
Quote #6
Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once; she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. But refuse to put younger widows on the list; for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry, and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house; and they are not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us. For some have already turned away to follow Satan. (1 Timothy 5:9-15, NRSV)
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. (1 Timothy 5:9-15, KJV)
More rules for widows. Anyone who's lost her husband has to be pretty morally upright to get some handouts around town. No flirting or gossiping! Keep in mind that losing a husband also meant losing one's entire source of income, so widows better be on their best behavior if they want help.