If a widow were sitting next to you right now, would you know? Would you recognize her pain, her strength, her needs? It’s a question many don’t ask, but perhaps we should: What Is A Widow, really?
And more importantly, how can we heed the call to care for widows if we fail to recognize them in the first place? God calls us to look after the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:17).
Globally, the plight of widows is often dire. They are frequently subjected to cultural stigma, human rights abuses, discrimination, and disinheritance. Their needs are frequently disregarded. This is especially true as the number of widows worldwide surpasses 258 million due to war, disaster and displacement. God’s foresight explains why He repeatedly commands their protection and care.
Beyond the Stereotype: Defining “Widow”
The word “widow” likely conjures a specific image: an elderly woman, perhaps frail and alone. Maybe you even envision the poor widow who selflessly gave her last coins at the temple. But the reality is far more complex. Widows come from all walks of life, and recognizing the multifaceted nature of widowhood is essential if we are to serve them as God commands.
Many are young mothers, suddenly forced to navigate parenthood alone. The wives of soldiers killed in action, or women fleeing war zones, are widows. Even if their husbands are still alive, refugee women without support operate as widows, solely responsible for their families’ well-being after experiencing immense economic hardship.
Some widows are financially secure but still vulnerable. Their wealth may even make them targets. The Bible implores us to champion their cause, recognizing that they may be ignored or exploited and that God’s people are responsible for protecting them.
As James the Apostle stated, caring for widows is “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27). The church has a responsibility to ensure widows are visible and supported. Failing to do so reflects poorly on our faith.
Biblical Definition of a Widow
The Bible’s description of a “widow” offers a profound understanding. The Greek word for “widow” is χήρα (khay-rah), meaning deprived, cut off, “stripped bare,” or abandoned. K. A. Ellis, an Oxford scholar, explains that a widow is a woman “bereft of the full provision or flourishing that could be provided by a husband or a family.”
This state of deprivation can arise from various circumstances, including divorce, abandonment, imprisonment, or even familial rejection due to faith. Ellis emphasizes that the condition itself defines a woman as a widow, irrespective of the cause. Thus, our common understanding of the term is often incomplete and exclusionary.
“It leaves a whole lot of people out of the equation,” Ellis says. “To limit widowhood [in this way] cuts short the fullness of both the need and the opportunity.”
The Untapped Potential
The contributions widows can make to churches are often overlooked. Andy Mendonsa of Widows Harvest Ministries highlights their unique calling: “What comes out of losing a spouse is a deeply dependent faith.”
He emphasizes that widows’ prayers are “powerful, profound, and life-changing.” This prayer ministry became a source of strength and joy in his local church, leading to the expansion of their widows ministry to Africa.
“People don’t understand this, which is maybe why widows still remain so invisible,” he says.
Mendonsa also points out that the Bible outlines a specific role for widows in the church. As described in 1 Timothy 5, to be put on a list for this role, a woman should:
- Be at least 60 years old
- Have been the wife of only one man
- Have a reputation for good works
- Have brought up children
- Have shown hospitality to strangers
- Have assisted those in distress
In essence, Paul is defining the office of widow in the church. Christians serve widows by meeting their needs and protecting them. In turn, widows serve churches by connecting them to the potent force of their prayers. The health of our church communities may well be measured by the degree to which widows are supported, valued, and actively included in ministry.
God, the Defender of Widows
Psalm 68 proclaims God as the defender of widows. Exodus 22:22-24 uses stark language to describe the fate of those who exploit or neglect them. Woe to those who prey on these women held so dearly in God’s heart!
While it may be difficult to imagine anyone taking advantage of a widow, the reality is that this problem is rampant. Widows face unimaginable trauma, especially in countries with weak human rights protections and in refugee camps (World Vision report on Syrian widow camps).
What does a widow look like? It’s time we start asking the question. Unless we ask God to open our eyes and hearts, and reach out in genuine support, we may never recognize their needs or the immense power of their prayers.
Widows are all around us – in our communities, our churches, and across the globe. Let us use this knowledge as an opportunity to reflect on how we can better care for these women, who are so deeply cherished by God.
