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The Historic Faith
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Widows

Early Christian writings teach that widows were to be honored, protected, and cared for, not ignored. Ignatius tells believers to honor and not neglect widows, Polycarp says widows should be taught to pray and avoid slander and greed, and Cyprian and Lactantius connect care for widows with justice and Christian duty. The strongest and broadest theme is not just sympathy but ordered church care: widows had a recognized place, expected conduct, and in some texts a formal order.

The evidence is mixed on details such as age, remarriage, and who could enter the order, but the main teaching is clear across several early witnesses and 1 Timothy 5. Some later texts add stricter rules for younger widows and warnings about false widows, so the picture is both pastoral and disciplined.

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Key Passages

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How to Study Widows

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Scripture Map

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78 references

Foundation Texts

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Direct Bible command to care for widows in the church

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Direct Bible command to honor widows

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Defines widow indeed as one who prays continually

Supporting Passages

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

Direct Bible warning about younger widows

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Direct Bible instruction on younger widows marrying

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

Age requirement often linked to widow enrollment

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Supporting rule about family care for widows

We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Background Bible example of a widow serving God in prayer

Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye 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.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward:

it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife. And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;

Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 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.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.