1 Timothy 5:11

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

BSB

But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

KJV

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

ASV

But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

BBE

But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;

Original Greek

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νεωτέρας neōteras Younger G3501 δὲ de however G1161 χήρας chēras widows G5503 παραιτοῦ paraitou do refuse G3868 ὅταν hotan when G3752 γὰρ gar for G1063 καταστρηνιάσωσιν katastrēniasōsin they may grow wanton against G2691 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 Χριστοῦ Christou Christ G5547 γαμεῖν gamein to marry G1060 θέλουσιν thelousin they desire G2309

The early church

"The younger widows refuse, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry"; that is, when they have become scornful and luxurious. For as in the case of a just man, we might say, "Let her depart, for she has become another's." He shows therefore that though they chose widowhood, it was not the choice of their judgment. So then a widow, by the state of widowhood, is espoused to Christ. For He has said, "I am the defender of the widows and the father of the orphans." He shows that they do not choose widowhood as they ought, but wax wanton: however he bears with them. Elsewhere indeed he says, "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Timothy

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 9–16

Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. All believers are required to relieve those belonging to their families who are destitute, that the church may not be prevented from relieving such as are entirely destitute and friendless.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 5 →

Cross-references

10

People & places

Jesus

Topics

Talebearer

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.