1 Timothy 5:9-16

A Contrasting Approach Towards Older and Younger Widows. (1 Timothy 5:9-16 ).

This responsibility of the church towards widows was not, however, to become a licence for all widows to become too dependent on the church. It was mainly to benefit older widows, indeed those who were over sixty years old who had clearly demonstrated the genuineness of their faith, and it required full dedication by those who had no other responsibilities to serving Christ through the church as best they could. Paul was well aware that this requirement could prove a trial for younger women who may come to regret having so fully dedicated themselves, bringing themselves into condemnation by withdrawing from their pledge when they sought to marry again. The early church took their pledges seriously (Psalms 15:4 b). Furthermore he was afraid that with such freedom from care, and the visitation requirements, they may also become merely idle tittle-tattlers and busybodies. Rather they are therefore to fulfil the responsibility of all women in the church of child-producing age, by producing a Christian family (compare 1 Timothy 2:15).

Analysis.

a Let none be enrolled (or ‘reckoned’) as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man (1 Timothy 5:9).

b Well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work (1 Timothy 5:10).

c But younger widows refuse, for when they have become lax against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge (1 Timothy 5:11-12).

d And together with this they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house (1 Timothy 5:13 a).

c And not only idle, but tittle-tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not (1 Timothy 5:13 b).

b I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling, for already some are turned aside after Satan (1 Timothy 5:14-15).

a If any woman who believes has widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened, that it may relieve them that are indeed widows (1 Timothy 5:16).

Note that in ‘a’ the qualification for enrolment as a widow are given, and in the parallel those who are not to be enrolled are described. In ‘b’ the acceptable behaviour of a widow is described, and in the parallel the acceptable behaviour of a younger widow. In ‘c’ we have a description of what a younger women’s positive failures can be, and in the parallel further indications of the same. Centrally in ‘d’ is a description of a younger widow’s negative failing, becoming idle and frivolous.