1 Timothy 5:15
What does 1 Timothy 5:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:15 means
Paul notes with grief that some have already “turned aside after Satan.” This phrase conveys departing from the path of godliness into the adversary’s snares—perhaps through sensuality, idle talk, or disruptive behavior earlier mentioned. The warning is not abstract; damage has occurred. Recognizing this sober reality underlines the need for the policies just given. The church must not be naïve about spiritual warfare. Guardrails exist because the enemy seeks footholds. Paul’s realism mingles sorrow and resolve, urging Timothy to act decisively so that others are not drawn into the same traps and so that the church’s witness remains unblemished.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for already some are turned aside after Satan.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For some are already turned aside after Satan.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for already some are turned aside after Satan.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For even now some are turned away to Satan.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for already certain did turn aside after the Adversary.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For some are already turned aside after Satan.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For already some have turned aside after Satan.
Context
Verse 15 confirms the stakes of the counsel in verses 11–14: the risks are not hypothetical. This report strengthens Timothy’s resolve to implement the measures, even if they are unpopular. The next verse will wrap up the widow section by redirecting care for widowed relatives to believing women in the family, lightening the church’s load so it can focus on those truly destitute—widows indeed.
v.14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
v.15This passage
v.16If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
- Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
- 1 Timothy 1:20
of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
- 2 Peter 2:2
And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of.
- 2 Timothy 1:15
This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
- 2 Peter 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
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