Paul has a lot to say about widows to Timothy in chapter five of his letter. His instructions about older widows and the care they need are gracious and giving. But his views concerning younger widows are much more strict.

This week’s passage is found in 1 Timothy 5:13-15:

Paul’s advice to Timothy in the preceding few verses about younger widows wasn’t very positive. He felt that a younger widow caused more problems than not, and would be tempted to stray from Christ and his church.

In this week’s passage, he takes this view a step further. His concern is that the behavior of a younger widow, unable to control her passions, would bring disgrace to Christ. Financially supporting these women could potentially bring about a sense of idleness, giving them the time to go from house to house, gossiping, being busybodies, and meddling in affairs not their own. In short, Paul says, supporting such widows enables them to use the system, and cause significant harm.

Let’s take a brief look at a couple of the words Paul uses here. The word “idle” is translated in other places as lazy, useless, with nothing to do. The word for “gossip” is a much richer word than our English translations convey, carrying the idea of foolish talk and false accusations, along with spreading rumors and chatter.

Paul then gives a series of four instructions concerning younger widows. These younger widows are…

To marry

Paul wants these younger widows to marry. After all, if all had gone as planned, they would still be married, and looking forward to a long life with their husbands. Death interrupted, however, and Paul sees no reason why they shouldn’t try again. In fact, it will help prevent much of the heartache and problems he has described about the current younger widows.

To have children

The verb used here, translated “to have children,” is the same word used in 2:15, where Paul stated that “women will be saved through childbearing.” It’s clear that Paul views one of the most important roles for a woman is the role of mother. This is a role our culture seems to have largely set aside in the search for “equality.” The New Testament rightly sees the roles of women and men as fundamentally different.

To manage their homes

This phrase is used only here in the entire New Testament, and indicates that she is to take charge in the matters of the home. This is again reminiscent of the Proverbs 31 woman, and communicates the significance of the role of the woman in the home, especially in light of the fact that her husband would be away at work much of the time. This passage brings a strong argument for the biblical role of the nuclear family, both in biblical society, and the need for it in light of our current cultural attitudes towards family.

To give the enemy no opportunity for slander

Paul’s concern here is that these younger widows live their lives in a manner that is above reproach. The enemy here could refer to either any non-Christian enemy or Satan himself. Most likely the intended meaning is Satan, in light of the very next verse. Once again, this is extremely applicable in our own society, for both widows and anyone else. Peter may have said it best when he stated that we are to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).

Paul is especially concerned about this because some of these younger widows have already turned away to follow Satan. This statement conveys a sense of urgency, and suggests that these instructions aren’t simply hypothetical, but are a current reality in Ephesus. Remember that the primary purpose of 1 Timothy is to address some significant false teaching infiltrating the church, and these younger widows would have been especially susceptible in their time of loss. It’s not clear what actions this turning away may have taken, but Paul emphasizes that he sees the situation as critical.

Paul concerns for widows in the Ephesian church is commendable, and we would do good to remind ourselves of the priority of care we are to place upon the widows in our own churches. Many times, this passage in 1 Timothy gets overlooked, being overshadowed by such important topics as elders and deacons, women’s roles, and more.

The Bible, in both the Old Testament and the New, is full of references that widows and orphans (James 1:27) are among those that are closest to the heart of God. As such, they should be close to our heart as well.

What do you think of Paul’s instructions concerning younger widows? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.