1 Timothy 5:12
What does 1 Timothy 5:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:12 means
Paul says younger widows who break their earlier commitment incur condemnation because they have rejected their first pledge. This likely refers to a professed devotion connected with enrollment for church support—a pledge of singular dedication to Christ’s service. To reverse that pledge lightly burdens the conscience and brings censure. The point is not to bind consciences unnecessarily but to prevent rash vows and the reputational harm that follows inconsistency. Paul wants integrity between promises and actions. Better not to promise than to promise and abandon. Hence, refusing younger widows for the roll guards them from avoidable guilt and the church from confusion over changing roles.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having judgment, because the first faith they did cast away,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.
Context
Building on verse 11’s refusal of younger widows, verse 12 clarifies the moral weight of breaking a prior commitment. The language of condemnation raises the stakes: this is not a trivial administrative matter. Paul will further explain practical dangers in the next verse—idleness and meddling—that attend supporting those not well suited for the roll. The flow moves from principle (vow-keeping) to prudence (behavioral patterns), strengthening the case for the policy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 1:6
I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;
- 1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?
- Revelation 2:4
But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.
- James 3:1
Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34
If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.
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