Widow/Widower

<<woman whose husband is dead; man whose wife has died>>

In Bible times, when the husband died, the wife lost her means of support as she received no inheritance, consequently her prospects for the future were bleak unless she remarried, or had children (especially a son) who could take care of her in later life. The OT laws included special provision to be made for the widows and other disadvantaged vulnerable people (Deut 14:29). The story of the widow Ruth tells how she benefited from this practice. She was not consumed in self-pity, but instead shared with her mother-in-law and was richly blessed (Ruth 1:16ff).

At the time of the early church the economic situation was grave and the Christians were pooling their resources and distributing their proceeds to those in need although some widows seem to have been neglected so the disciples took action to assist them (Act 4:32-5:1, 6:1). Paul’s advice was for families to look after their own relatives who were widows (as a genuine expression of caring and responsibility), while the church should only support the older widows who had proved their faith, as the younger ones would probably remarry. This was to discourage those who had lost their husbands from expecting to be provided for (1 Tim 5:3-16).

the orphans and widows among us. In today's society many children are in homes without their father present and this adversely affects them. James said that looking after the orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world’s sinful ways is what God recognises as “pure religion” (Jas 1:27). Caring for those in distress is not optional for followers of Christ.

See also: fatherless, orphans, Ruth, Ruth (Ruth), welfare.