Ive always hear it applied as spiritual, personally I apply it to the physical,
however how is it read in the new international bible, see below.
1 Timothy 5:8
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
and what is the context, i read parallel of this at bible gateway, the whole chapter speaks of widows elders and slaves....
[having slaves, was Never spoken of against in the bible. as is the obvious attitude of unworthiness for the rights and feelings of women is this still observed today? apparently in many cultures]
it also points out in vs
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
so
the two and three witness rule is spoken of as only applying to the elders,[ so THATS why they can get away with child abuse.]
king james version says at vs 11-12
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.. [gee was their 'first faith' their husbands law?'so
women are damned if they wish to remarry. lol, stupid ass men back then really ruined it for themselves huh?
[what the hell does wax wanton mean, lol!] silly old book.
Id say, clearly this is a book written for the chosen ones of Israel and did not apply to the gentile nations.