What does 1 Timothy 5:7 mean?

Paul's commands regarding widows were not for Timothy alone. Here, Paul teaches him to give the instructions found in verses 1 through 6 to all of the house churches of Ephesus. Paul's reason for this is to keep the churches from "reproach." They are to be commanded to follow these instructions to live without reproach in their church and community.

James 1:27 presents a similar theme regarding the church's role toward widows: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Jesus personally condemned those who mistreated widows (Mark 12:40). His own mother, Mary, was likely a widow (John 19:25–27) since Joseph is not mentioned during the years of Jesus' ministry. And, based on what we read on the Gospels, it seems Mary's other children—Jesus' brothers and sisters—were not yet following Him (Matthew 13:53–58; John 7:2–5). Churches which do not adequately care for society's most vulnerable are subject to criticism.

At the same time, churches should not provide aid to those who are simply looking for a handout (1 Timothy 5:5–6). Those who do are also vulnerable to "reproach," since they are wasting their resources.