'Widows' in the Bible
[Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]
who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”
But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land;
who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.
But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,
Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;
If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.