YOUNG WIDOWS
YOUNG WIDOWS
1 TIMOTHY 5:9-16
Paul continues to give practical advice about widows.
Paul continues with the problem of widows. First he speaks about enrolling mature widows whose lives commend the faith. Presumably this means putting them on an official list of people who would be given financial or other assistance, and who apparently would be expected to do something to forward the work of the church. The widow who qualifies is over sixty years of age, having been “faithful to her husband” (5:9, NIV) and has lived an exemplary life.
Younger widows are a different matter. From 5:12 it seems that being “enrolled” meant pledging oneself to some form of service which involved continuing being unmarried. Young widows naturally looked forward to remarriage in due course, and this made it difficult for them to fulfill their pledge. While they were doing service it would be with a divided mind, for some of their attention would be concentrated on their own future marriage. And if they did marry, the pledge to continue in that service would be broken. Paul is not blaming them for a desire for remarriage. On the contrary, he expressly encourages it (5:14). But he is realistic enough to see the effect of their natural desires on their performance of the duties expected of those on the roll. Moreover, lack of maturity may lead them to indulge in gossip when they think they are engaged in visiting (5:13). Paul was a very practical person! On all counts it was better that they should be not enrolled.
Over against this Paul sets the desirable procedure. These young widows should by all means remarry (5:14). This would give each a proper place in a household and an important task to perform. Instead of being the targets for legitimate criticism, they would then give no occasion for “the enemy” to gain an entrance. Paul makes it clear that he is speaking out of experience. Some had already made the most grievous error by straying after Satan (5:15). The reference in the concluding verse to “any believing woman” is rather puzzling as one would have thought the duty of providing for one’s own family rested on male Christians as well as on women. Probably Paul means that if there are widows in a household they will come under the immediate care of the wife. In this way, she should “assist them.” The church can then concentrate its aid on those who are really destitute.