being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
". . . the real widow seems to be set up as an ideal in contrast to the young widows in much the same way that Timothy is in contrast to the false teachers (1 Timothy 4:6-16; 1 Timothy 6:11-16)." [Note: Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy . . ., p. 114.] 