1 Timothy 5:14

14 I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

1 Timothy 5:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 5:14

I will therefore that the younger women marry
Or "the younger" widows rather; and so some copies read; for this is not the apostle's advice to young women in general, though it will suit with them, but with younger widows in particular, of whom he is speaking:

bear children;
and bring them forth, and feed, and nourish them, and bring them up in a religious way:

guide the house;
manage domestic affairs, direct, order, or do what is proper to be done for the good of the family; which is much more commendable than to throw themselves upon the church, and live an idle and wanton life, and after that marry: and so

give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully;
that is, either that Satan, the grand adversary of the saints, might have no opportunity to reproach them, and cast in their teeth their unbecoming walk, or accuse them before the throne; or that any enemy of the Christian religion might have no room nor reason to speak evilly of Christ, his Gospel, truths, and ordinances, on account of the disorderly conversation of any that profess his name; or that the (o antikeimenov) , the great opposer of Christ, the man of sin, and son of perdition, even antichrist, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ) , might have no handle from hence to speak reproachfully of marriage, and forbid it, under a pretence of sanctity, as ( 1 Timothy 4:3 ) .

1 Timothy 5:14 In-Context

12 being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And, at the same time, they learn also [to be] idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.

14 I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 If any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those [that are] widows indeed.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'by reason of.' The sense is, the favour borne to anything; sometimes it is an object, sometimes a pleasing motive. The adversary found in the reproach a motive to exercise his hostility. As to 'adversary,' the habit of Paul is to speak thus of Satan directly when acting through men, because he knew the activity of the adversary, and the part he takes in such matters. To such an adversary reproach is a favoured, accepted motive.