What Does the Bible Say About Taking Care Of Older People?

Leviticus 19:32 ESV / 179 helpful votes

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Proverbs 23:22 ESV / 149 helpful votes

Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 136 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Proverbs 16:31 ESV / 135 helpful votes

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Isaiah 46:4 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Luke 2:36-38 ESV / 120 helpful votes

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 111 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Psalm 71:9 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

Job 12:12 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.

Proverbs 20:29 ESV / 104 helpful votes

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

1 Timothy 5:1-8 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ...

Matthew 15:4-6 ESV / 60 helpful votes

For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.

Titus 2:2-3 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

1 Timothy 5:1-4 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

1 Timothy 5:3-4 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

James 1:27 ESV / 32 helpful votes

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.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Psalm 92:14 ESV / 28 helpful votes

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,

Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV / 28 helpful votes

“‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

Mark 7:10-12 ESV / 20 helpful votes

For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother,

Genesis 47:12 ESV / 20 helpful votes

And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their dependents.

1 Timothy 5:4 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

1 Timothy 5:1-3 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows.

Mark 7:10-13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

1 Timothy 5:3-8 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ...

1 Timothy 5:16 ESV / 10 helpful votes

If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

Titus 2:2-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 2:1-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Ephesians 6:2-3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Acts 20:35 ESV / 8 helpful votes

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

John 19:26-27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

John 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Timothy 5:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Honor widows who are truly widows.

Zechariah 8:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age.

1 John 3:17-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Titus 2:3-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Ephesians 6:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Ephesians 6:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Luke 14:13-14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Luke 2:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

Luke 2:29-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Luke 1:50 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

Psalm 92:14-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

1 Kings 2:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right.

1 Kings 2:1-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

Genesis 48:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

Proverbs 24:1-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, ...

Numbers 17:1-13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers' house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff, and write Aaron's name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers' house. Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” ...

51 Bible Verses about Taking Care Of Older People

Leviticus 19:32 ESV / 179 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:22 ESV / 149 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 136 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:31 ESV / 135 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 128 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 46:4 ESV / 128 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:36-38 ESV / 120 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 111 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 71:9 ESV / 108 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 12:12 ESV / 108 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:29 ESV / 104 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:1-8 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:4-6 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:2-3 ESV / 48 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:1-4 ESV / 46 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 36 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:3-4 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:27 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 92:14 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:10-12 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 47:12 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:4 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:1-3 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:10-13 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:3-8 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:16 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:2-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:1-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:2-3 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:35 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 19:26-27 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 8:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:17-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:3-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 14:13-14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:29-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:50 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 92:14-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 2:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 2:1-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 48:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:1-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 17:1-13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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