1 Timothy 5:11
Read 1 Timothy 5:11 Using Other Translations
What does 1 Timothy 5:11 mean?
But the younger widows refuse
To admit them into the number of widows relieved by the church;
partly because they are fit for labour, and so can take care of
themselves; and partly because they may marry, as the apostle
afterwards advises they should, and so would have husbands to
take care of them:
for when they have begun to wax wanton against
Christ;
that is, being at ease, and without labour, live a wanton, loose,
and licentious life, and in carnal lusts and pleasures, contrary
to the commands of Christ, and to the reproach and dishonour of
his name:
they will marry;
not that it would be criminal for them to marry, or that second
marriages are unlawful; for the apostle afterwards signifies that
it was right, fit, and proper that such should marry; but his
sense is, that marriage being the effect of wantonness, would not
be so honourable in them, and especially after they had made
application to the church for relief, and had declared themselves
widows indeed, and desolate, and such as trusted in God, and gave
themselves up to supplication and prayer; wherefore it would be
much better for them, and more to the credit of religion, to
marry first, than afterwards and it would be best not to apply at
all to the church; and if they should, it would be most advisable
to reject them for the said reasons.
