The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.

Question

I Timothy 5:4. It’s talking here about widows who would be serving in the church: “If any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, to requite [repay] their parents, for that’s good and acceptable before God.” What is piety? The question is, what does piety mean in this verse?

Answer

The Greek word means “to act reverently.” The only thing it’s simply saying is this: that there should be an acknowledged reverence for God, toward mother, father, duties, relationship etc. Fulfill the role. That’s all it’s saying. I don’t know anything more specific in relation to the question than to say, if a widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to have all reverent attitudes in all relationships in the home and requite [repay] their parents for that is good and acceptable before God. It’s just talking about the fact that children should be reverent. They should, as the Old Testament says, honor their mother and father, honor even their grandmother and grandfather… Show concern and reverence to everybody connected to them.

I don’t think that it’s talking so much about holiness as it’s talking about reverence toward the position of authority and responsibility that adults have in a home, and that attitude should come from the heart of a child.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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