1 Timothy 5:11

11 Don't put younger widows on that kind of list. They might want pleasure more than they want Christ. Then they would want to get married again.

1 Timothy 5:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 5:11

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.

1 Timothy 5:11 In-Context

9 No widow should be put on the list of widows unless she is more than 60 years old. She must also have been faithful to her husband.

10 She must be well known for the good things she does. That includes bringing up children. It includes inviting guests into her home. It includes washing the feet of God's people. It includes helping those who are in trouble. A widow should spend her time doing all kinds of good things.

11 Don't put younger widows on that kind of list. They might want pleasure more than they want Christ. Then they would want to get married again.

12 If they do that, they will be judged. They have broken their first promise.

13 Besides, they get into the habit of having nothing to do. They go around from house to house. They waste time. They talk about others. They bother people. They say things they shouldn't say.