LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
What does the Bible say about orphans and widows?
Submitted to Dr. James Sulfridge
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500
Discipleship Ministries
By
Anthony Bean
What does the Bible say about orphans and widows?
Widows are women whose husbands have died, and orphans are children whose parents,
for whatever reason, are not in the child’s life. In biblical times, the main cause of a child being
orphaned is that the orphan’s parents had died. The Bible reveals God’s attitude toward
orphans and widows: He cares very deeply for them. God commands us to protect and care for
orphans and widows (Psalm 82:3).
Husbands and fathers play an irreplaceable role in a family. When the man is not there,
the wife and child can suffer in many ways. The Bible tells us that God Himself steps in to fill the
role of protecting and caring for orphans and widows. “A father to the fatherless, a defender of
widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5). In our world, those who are helpless tend to
be taken advantage of by those who think they can get away with it. However, nothing escapes
God’s notice, and He will avenge the orphans and widows. “You, LORD, hear the desire of the
afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the
oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror” (Psalm 10:17–18).
God commands us to care for orphans and widows. When He gave the Law to Moses and
the Israelites, He gave instructions for how to treat the orphans and widows among them—
with harsh consequences promised if they failed in their responsibility (see Exodus 22:22–23).
In the New Testament, James says that taking care of the needs of orphans and widows is part
of religion “pure and faultless” (James 1:27). Caring for those in distress is not optional for
followers of Christ.
In 1 Timothy, Paul lays out more detailed instructions for how to care for widows (1
Timothy 5:1–16). First, Paul puts an emphasis on a widow’s family taking care of her, instead of
leaving it all up to the church. “If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first
of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their
parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” (1 Timothy 5:4). Paul instructs that, for a
widow to be supported by the local church, she must be over the age of 60 and she must have
been faithful to her husband and have led a godly life. And she must have no family member to
care for her (1 Timothy 5:9–10). The bottom line is that all widows should be receiving the care
they need, without anyone getting overburdened by the responsibility.
We should not view caring for orphans and widows as simply a command from God we
must fulfill “or else.” There is tremendous blessing in serving and standing up for orphans and
widows. In considering what our own attitude should be toward the orphans and widows
around us, it’s helpful to remember that all of us were adopted into God’s family through Jesus
Christ (Ephesians 1:3–7) and betrothed to Christ (Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 19:7). It is our joy
and privilege to partner with God in loving, serving, and protecting the orphans and widows
among us.
God Is the Father of the Fatherless
God has a special place in His heart for the orphan. In fact, the Bible says He is a father to
them. All people understand what a good father should be, even if their own father wasn’t
ideal. God presents Himself as a Father—someone who loves, cherishes, protects and values
His children.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. — Psalm
68:5
You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their
cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again
strike terror. — Psalm 10:17–18
The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he
frustrates the ways of the wicked. — Psalm 146:9
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in
hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. — Psalm
10:14
Sadly, children without a supportive and loving father have difficulty understanding the
boundless love and care their Heavenly Father holds for His children. How are you taking
responsibility for these fatherless children? How can you show a child the fierce love their
Heavenly Father has for them? God takes special notice of the fatherless. He doesn’t overlook
their cries. He hears orphans and defends them. Reach out to communities of the fatherless
and show them the way to relationship with their true Father.
God Commands Us to Defend the Orphan
In Biblical times and throughout history, government officials and ruling classes oppressed
the poor with unjust laws and abusive policies. These oppressors withheld justice from widows
and orphans. And it still happens today.
But we are explicitly told not to take advantage of the widow and the fatherless. In fact,
we are told that we will give account for lording our power over others.
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive
the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows
their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster
comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? — Isaiah
10:1–3
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I
will certainly hear their cry. — Exodus 22:22–23
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing
among you, giving them food and clothing. — Deuteronomy 10:18
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. — Exodus 22:22
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless. —
Proverbs 23:10
In the Bible, God places special concern on those who are vulnerable or marginalized. He
knows these segments of society are often at risk of exploitation. He calls us to look on the
heart of others and to defend the oppressed, the weak, and the fatherless.
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the
fatherless; plead the case of the widow. — Isaiah 1:17
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. —
Psalm 82:3
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans
and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. — James
1:27
When we invite Christ into our lives, we are called to become more like Him. Therefore,
the burden Jesus holds for His children becomes our burden, too. Are you actionably obeying
the Lord in His command to love and selflessly care for His people? Find an opportunity to
actionably care for the vulnerable and marginalized.
God Calls Us to Act on Behalf of the Fatherless
A Christian’s relationship with God should result in tangible care and compassion for
others. The verses above describe an active faith—a faith that looks after orphans and widows.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no
deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily
food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing
about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me
your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. — James 2:14–18
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful
forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets
prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless
and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The LORD reigns forever, your God, O
Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD. — Psalm 146:5–10
God is faithful! He promises to sustain the fatherless. Often, He uses us to do that. He
calls us to love those who suffer and to shield people from abuse.
Our holistic child development programs are instrumental in keeping orphaned children
off the streets and giving them the necessary resources for life. They can access nutritious food,
clean water, medical care, education, and training in life skills.
