1 Timothy 5:11
What does 1 Timothy 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:11 means
Timothy is to refuse younger widows for the church’s roll. Paul foresees that natural desires may later lead them to remarry in ways that conflict with an earlier commitment of singular devotion to Christ and His service. The issue is not that marriage is wrong—it is honorable—but that formal enrollment implies a settled state of widowhood and ministry. To enroll those likely to reverse course would create instability and potential reproach. Paul’s pastoral realism protects younger widows from binding themselves prematurely and protects the church from supporting a path that may not fit their season of life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and younger widows be refusing, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
Context
After defining qualifications for older widows, Paul addresses the contrasting case of younger widows. Verse 11 introduces the refusal and begins to explain why, focusing on foreseeable changes in desire and circumstance. The next verse will speak of “condemnation” tied to rejecting a first pledge, sharpening the seriousness of prematurely taking on a vow-like commitment. Paul’s counsel aims to avoid preventable conflicts and preserve the church’s reputation.
v.10well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
v.11This passage
v.12having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 2:18
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
- 1 Timothy 4:3
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
- Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: Thou art waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art become sleek; Then he forsook God who made him, And lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
- 1 Timothy 5:14
I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
- 1 Timothy 5:9
Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
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