* **And preach these things ** - "Command these things as well" or "Also, teach these things with authority." Timothy was to obey Paul's words himself <b>and</b> also to command others to obey Paul's words.
* **so that they may be beyond reproach** - "so that no one can find fault with them." Possible meanings of <b>they</b>: 1) "these widows and their families" (UDB) or 2) "the church." It might be best to leave the subject as "they."
* **he has denied the faith ** - "he has acted though he has denied the faith" or "he has acted contrary to the truth we believe" or "he has turned his back on his beliefs"
* **… is worse than an unbeliever** - "… is worse than those who do not believe Jesus" or "those who do not believe in Jesus are better than …" Even those who do not believe in Jesus take care of their own families; how much more should believers do so!