1Timothy 5:8 (kankanaey)







"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever"








         Almost everyone has relatives, family of some kind.  Family relationships are so important in God's eyes.  Paul says, that a person who neglects his or her family responsibilities has denied the faith.  

            A better understanding of this verse is clearly elaborated by the bible hub.  An excerpt of which, read as follows: "But if any provide not for his own,.... Not only for his wife and children, but for his parents, when grown old, and cannot help themselves:
and specially for those of his own house; that is, who are of the same household of faith with him; see Galatians 6:10, and so the Syriac version  renders it ,  "and especially those who are children of the house of faith"; for through the tie of nature obliges him to take care of them, yet that of grace makes the obligation still more strong and binding; and he must act both the inhuman and unchristian part, that does not take care of his pious parents: wherefore it follows,  

          he hath denied the faith; the doctrine of faith, though not in words, yet in works; and is to be considered in the same light, and to be dealt with as an apostate from the Christian religion.


            And is worse than an infidel; for the very Heathens are taught and directed by the light of nature to take care of their poor and aged parents. The daughter of Cimon gave her ancient father the breast, and suckled him when in prison. Aeneas snatched his aged father out of the burning of Troy, and brought him out of the destruction of that city on his back; yea, these are worse than the brute creatures, and may be truly said to be without natural affections; such should go to the storks and learn of them, of whom it is reported, that the younger ones will feed the old ones, when they cannot feed themselves; and when weary, and not able to fly, will carry them on their backs. The Jews (w) have a rule or canon, which obliged men to take care of their families, which runs thus:

            "as a man is bound to provide for his wife, so he is hound to provide for his sons and daughters, the little ones, until they are six years old; and from thenceforward he gives them food till they are grown up, according to the order of the wise men; if he will not, they reprove him, and make him ashamed, and oblige him; yea, if he will not, they publish him in the congregation, and say such an one is cruel, and will not provide for his children; and lo, he is worse than an unclean fowl, which feeds her young.''

            How about you? Are you doing your part to meet the needs of those included in your family circle?

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