1 Timothy 5:6

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

BSB

But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

KJV

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

ASV

But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.

BBE

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.

Original Greek

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ἡ hē She G3588 δὲ de however G1161 σπαταλῶσα spatalōsa living in self-indulgence G4684 ζῶσα zōsa [while] living G2198 τέθνηκεν tethnēken has died G2348

The early church

But since many who have children choose the state of widowhood, not to cut off the occasions of a worldly life, but rather to enhance them, that they may do what they will with the greater license, and indulge the more freely in worldly lusts: therefore he says, "She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." Ought not a widow then to live in pleasure? Surely not. If then when nature and age is weak, a life of pleasure is not allowable, but leads to death, eternal death; what have men to say, who live a life of pleasure? But he says with reason, "She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Timothy

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 3–8

Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins. Alas, what numbers there are of this description among nominal Christians, even to the latest period of life! If any men or women do not maintain their poor relations, they in effect deny the faith. If they spend upon their lusts and pleasures, what should maintain their families, they have denied the faith, and are worse than infidels. If professors of the gospel give way to any corrupt principle or conduct, they are worse than those who do not profess to believe the doctrines of grace.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 5 →

Cross-references

27

Topics

DeathWorldlinessAmusements And Worldly PleasuresPleasure

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.