John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. Now she that is a widow indeed , etc.] A real widow, whom the Jews call hrwmg , a perfect one, in opposition to one that is divorced, or a brother's widow, that has had the shoe plucked off for her: and such an one as the apostle means, is one that is desolate , or alone: who has neither husband to take care of her, nor children or nephews to show kindness to her, nor any worldly substance to subsist upon: but trusteth in God : not in man, nor in an arm of flesh, but in the living God, the giver of all good things, the Judge of widows; who vindicates their cause, avenges the injuries done them, protects and defends them, and relieves their wants, and gives all encouragement to them, to trust in him; (see Jeremiah 49:11). and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day ; as the widow Anna did, ( Luke 2:36,37). A Widow indeed is one that has no outward dependence, betakes herself to the Lord, puts her confidence in him, and cries to him continually for a daily supply; and such an one, amidst all her poverty and meanness, is a living believer, one that lives by faith on the Lord; and is profitable, and useful to the church by her prayers and supplications made for them, as well as for herself; whereas she that is in the next verse described is just the reverse.
Matthew Henry Commentary
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 ar able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhoo 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, spirituall dead, dead in trespasses and sins. Alas, what numbers there are of thi 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, an are worse than infidels. If professors of the gospel give way to an corrupt principle or conduct, they are worse than those who do no profess to believe the doctrines of grace.
Greek Textus Receptus
η 3588 T-NSF δε 1161 CONJ οντως 3689 ADV χηρα 5503 N-NSF και 2532 CONJ μεμονωμενη 3443 5772 V-RPP-NSF ηλπικεν 1679 5758 V-RAI-3S επι 1909 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ προσμενει 4357 5719 V-PAI-3S ταις 3588 T-DPF δεησεσιν 1162 N-DPF και 2532 CONJ ταις 3588 T-DPF προσευχαις 4335 N-DPF νυκτος 3571 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ ημερας 2250 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. And desolate (kai memonwmenh). N.T.o . From monov alone.Explanatory of a widow indeed. One entirely bereaved.
Trusteth in God (hlpiken epi ton Qeon). Strictly hath directed her hope at God. Rev. hath her hope set on God implies ejpi with the dative, as 1 John iii. 3.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:5 {Desolate} (memonwmene). Perfect passive participle of monow (from monos), "left alone," old verb, here alone in N.T. Without husband, children, or other close kin. {Hath her hope set on God} (elpiken epi qeon). Perfect active indicative of elpizw, "hath placed her hope (and keeps it) on God." Text doubtful whether God (qeon) or Lord (kurion). {Continues} (prosmenei). See on 1:3. With dative case here. {Night and day} (nuktos kai hemeras). "By night and by day" (genitive, not accusative). Paul does not say that she should pray "all night and day."
