“Honor 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.” 1Timothy 5:3, 4 KJV
“Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.” 1Timothy 5:3-4 NASB
One of the strongest charges which came from the pen of Paul is given in 1Timothy 5. He charges Timothy in the sight of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that he observe the injunctions he has just given without partiality or prejudice. The instructions related to the treatment of the widows and to an accusation raised against an elder. The Spirit of God obviously viewed the “honor of widows” as being of great importance.
We are told that to make provision for the widow is both “good and acceptable” in the sight of God (1Tim 5:4). This exact same
construction, “good and acceptable” is found only in one other place. It is in chapter 2 and verse 3; there it is related to the prayer meeting and God’s desire for all men to be saved. “Good” carries the thought of intrinsic beauty or inherent value. “Acceptable” is that which God welcomes and finds pleasure in.
John 19:25-27 relates to us the Lord’s care for His widowed mother. The background is His own suffering on the cross. Most would think Him justified to be pre-occupied with His own suffering; but, He is thinking of Mary. He always thought of others. Even a cross, with its pain and anguish, could not move Him to self-pity or self-centered thinking.
At this point in time, none of the half-brothers had been converted. To whose care can He entrust her? As He thinks of the days ahead and a widow, He commits her to the care of John, the beloved disciple. He honored His widowed mother by seeing to her care.
In His committing Mary to John, there may have also been the desire of the Lord to have her removed from the shadow of the cross and the scene of His suffering. He was sensitive to the sorrows of a mother’s heart viewing her Son on a cross.
If the care of a widow was “good and acceptable” to God under normal circumstances, how much pleasure it must have brought to the heart of God to see the faithfulness of His Son despite the cross; how well-pleasing to Him to have reflected in the ways of His Son the heart of God Who cares for the fatherless and the widow!
Consider:
Link the various words from the cross with the different offices and views of Christ as Son, High Priest, Shepherd, Servant, etc.