A note from our Pastor:

”I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan.”

1 Timothy 5:14-15

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verses this week, the Apostle Paul continues his thoughts regarding the role of younger widows indeed in the community of believers. Previously, the Apostle has noted to Timothy that the younger widows should not be admitted to the special order of widows. The context of this verse is extremely important in avoiding misapplication.

The Apostle concludes the fourteenth verse with a concern regarding the adversaries of the community of believers. Based on multiple references within this 5th chapter of 1st Timothy, there was a group of people within Ephesus who opposed the church and the message being preached there. The scriptures are not clear about who made up this group, however, it is clear they desired to find behaviors that could be highlighted and used to impugn the reputation of the congregation.

In the case of the younger widows, the Apostle had a clear concern these women’s desire to dedicate themselves to the congregation and the care of others would wane. When it did they would be prone to use their visits to others’ homes for reasons other than providing for those in need. The Apostle warned that this behavior would feed into the desires of the adversaries of the community of believers.

Thus, the Apostle says it is better for the young widows to not be admitted to the special order of widows but instead, be cared for by the community of believers but still open to finding a spouse, marrying, and raising a family. It is important to note — the Apostle was not saying this was the rightful place of women. He was not providing some overarching instruction to future generations. The only thing in consideration in this verse is whether it was best for these younger widows indeed to make a lifetime commitment to the church or for them to have the option to marry and raise a family.

As we carry scripture forward into our modern world, the church no longer has this special order of widows, and, thus, many have misapplied this scripture. As with all scripture, context is paramount to appropriate application. That should not be lost with this verse.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah