Younger Women Rules 1 Timothy 5:14

As Paul the apostle continued to give Timothy his “son in the faith” direction concerning “widows” who were “widows indeed”, he desired to prevent “younger widows” from “damnation” because they had “cast of their first faith”. Paul knew there was a tendency for “younger widows” to remarry, and until that time they would “learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”. In chapter five and verse fourteen, Paul shares his preference for these “younger widows” where we read:

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children,

guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

The verse begins, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children,...” Paul began with, “I will therefore” which means “deliberately, with purpose and minded” because of the tendencies of “younger widows” “that the younger women” or “youthful widows” “marry”, “bear children” or “have or beget offspring and become mothers”. Paul knew the “younger widows” would be better off remarrying and having children than becoming idle tattlers and busybodies.

The verse goes on to say, “...guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” Paul continued with his preferences or rules concerning the “younger widows” by adding, “guide the house” which means “be master, ruler and manager of the house or home and family affairs”. According to Paul this would “give none” or “not allow or permit” “occasion” which means “a place from which a movement or attack is made or a base of operations” “to the adversary” or “one set over against, opposite, adverse to and who withstands” “to speak reproachfully” or with “railing and reviling”. In other words, because a “younger widow” would remarry, have children and be busy about the affairs of her home, any “adversary” or foe would not be able to bring any accusation against them.

When we meditate upon this verse, we will find the rules or preferences of Paul for “younger widows” can be applied to us as well. When we have idle time on our hands and are not busy about “Godly” things, we are more susceptible to reproachful activity and our “adversary” has more of a basis to bring accusation against us. The point of Paul's direction is that these women “give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully”, and when we consider that as his motive, we can understand why the Holy Spirit would inspire him to write these rules. The Lord Jesus knows what is best for our lives even when it appears that he has given directions which are difficult, and when we consider these rules for “younger widows”, we can understand that He indeed knows what is eternally best.

Next time Paul shares how some younger widows were “already turned aside after Satan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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