I Timothy 5:8 and refugees?

[davidlmartin196]

I Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

I have begun to notice some of my fundamentalist friends are using this bible verse (not sure which version but I think it is the King James Version) to justify not allowing Syrian refugees into the United States of America. Regardless of anyone’s political view on this subject I do not believe this is accurate.

To me, this verse and chapter as a whole is on how we as Christians should take care of our immediate and extended family. Not a way to justify the treatment of others who may possibly harm your family in the future. Am I wrong in this thought?

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

The context of 1 Timothy 5:8 is the normal care of widows. The author writes that the widow’s family has the first responsibility to care for her. Thus if they are truly being literal they can only use it to deny widow refugees since that is all these verses refer to. Secondly, the author clearly states that the Church is to care for widows who have no family (1 Timothy 5:16).

However, as I noted this passage is about the normal care of widows. It is not saying the People of God have no responsibility towards those in extreme need. The entirety of Scripture speaks of the People of God’s responsibility towards the needy:

Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

• Exodus 19:34

He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.

• Deuteronomy 10:18

You shall not deprive the resident alien or the orphan of justice, nor take the clothing of a widow as pledge. For, remember, you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD, your God, redeemed you from there; that is why I command you to do this.

• Deuteronomy 24:17-18

O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed…

• Psalm 10:17

May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor.

• Psalm 72:4

Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

• Psalm 82:3-4

The LORD protects the resident alien, comes to the aid of the orphan and the widow…

• Psalm 146:9

Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

• Proverbs 31:8-9

Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of their rights, so that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the orphans.

• Isaiah 10:1-2

Thus says the LORD, "Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

• Jeremiah 22:3

…do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor;

• Zechariah 7:10

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

• Matthew 5:7

I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

• Matthew 25

…show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels…

• Hebrews 13:1-2

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?

• James 2 :15-16