Piety Toward the Family

In 1 Timothy 5, various instructions come in by the way. “If any widow have children or descendants, let them first learn to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to their parents” (1 Tim. 5:44But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. (1 Timothy 5:4) JND). Notice how clearly it is taught that children and other descendants are responsible for the support of their parents. Thus they show godliness or piety at home. Let us emphasize this in our minds, for it is easily forgotten in these days of other forms of public support. The denunciation in verse 8 of the man who avoids or neglects this duty is very severe, showing how serious a sin it is in God’s sight. There may be men quite renowned for piety in public who are nevertheless branded as worse than an infidel for lack of this piety at home.
F. B. Hole