A Short Study of 1st Timothy 5:8
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
(1st Timothy 5:8)
The apostle Paul minces no words when he describes all who abandon and do not provide for their own households. What provisions are necessary for one’s family? There is of course the need for food, clothing and shelter; but there is much more. One who provides for his own household provides love, kindness, encouragement, protection and their presence! To abandon one’s family is great cowardice and a demonstration of self-love! What does Paul say, such are “worse than an infidel.” An “infidel,” in the original as defined by Strong is “disbelieving, i.e. without Christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing):—that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever.” No matter what they profess, they are not only unbelievers, they are WORSE! They have “denied the faith.” It cannot be excused or justified by any who believe God’s word! I have seen it first hand and know the heartache and difficulties it brings. The worst thing is that all who profess to be believers and do it are saying that Christ can abandon and leave His family, His household. Perish the thought! He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
G. Shepard
Test All Things 
Recent Comments