1 Timothy 5:11-16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Directions are here given concerning the taking of widows into the number of those who were employed by the church and had maintenance from the church: Honour widows that are widows indeed. Honour them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those times an office in the church in which widows were employed, and that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the first forming of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:11-16

5:11-16 Refuse to enrol the younger women as widows, for when they grow impatient with the restrictions of Christian widowhood, they wish to marry, and so deserve condemnation, because they have broken the pledge of their first faith; and, at the same time, they learn to be idle and to run from house to house. Yes, they can become more than idle; they can become gossips and busybodies, saying things which should not be repeated. It is my wish that the younger widows should marry, and bear... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:12-13

And withal they learn to be idle ,.... Being at ease, and without labour, living at the expense of the church: "wandering about from house to house"; having nothing else to do: such an one is what the Jews F26 T. Bab. Sota, fol. 22. 1. call אלמנה שובבית , "the gadding widow"; who, as the gloss says, "goes about and visits her neighbours continually; and these are they that corrupt the world.' Of this sort of women must the Jews be understood, when they say F1 Bereshit... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:15

For some are already turned aside after Satan. Meaning some of those younger widows, whom the apostle knew, and had observed to have departed from the faith they first professed, and turned their backs on Christ, and gave themselves up to carnal lusts and pleasures, and an idle and impure life and conversation, walked according to the course of this world, and the prince of it, by whom they were led captive at his will; for so everyone that apostatizes from a profession of Christ, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:16

If any man or woman that believeth have widows ,.... That is, if any member of a church, whether a brother or a sister, have mothers or grandmothers, or any near relations widows, in mean circumstances, and incapable of taking care of themselves: let them relieve them ; out of their own substance; which is what the apostle before calls showing piety at home, and requiting their own parents: and let not the church be charged ; or burdened with the maintenance of them: that it may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:11

But the younger widows refuse - Do not admit those into this office who are under sixty years of age. Probably those who were received into such a list promised to abide in their widowhood. But as young or comparatively young women might have both occasion and temptations to remarry, and so break their engagement to Christ, they should not be admitted. Not that the apostle condemns their remarrying as a crime in itself, but because it was contrary to their engagement. See on 1 Timothy 5:14 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:12

Having damnation - In the sense in which we use this word I am satisfied the apostle never intended it. It is likely that he refers here to some promise or engagement which they made when taken on the list already mentioned, and now they have the guilt of having violated that promise; this is the κριμα , or condemnation, of which the apostle speaks. They have cast off their first faith - By pledging their fidelity to a husband they have cast off their fidelity to Christ, as a married... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:13

And withal they learn to be idle - They do not love work, and they will not work. Wandering about from house to house - Gadding, gossiping; never contented with home; always visiting. And not only idle - If it went no farther, this would be intolerable; but they are tattlers - tale-bearers; whisperers; light, trifling persons; all noise and no work. Busybodies - Persons who meddle with the concerns of others; who mind every one's business but their own. Speaking things which... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:3-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:11-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:12-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:13

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