Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 5:14 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
1Ti 5:14	King James	I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
younger women--rather, as ellipsis ought to be supplied, "the younger widows," namely younger widows in general, as distinguished from the older widows taken on the roll of presbyteresses (Ti1 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (Ti1 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with Co1 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare Co1 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and the other evils noted in Ti1 5:11-13. Of course, where there was no tendency to these evils, marriage again would not be so requisite; Paul speaks of what is generally desirable, and supposing there should be danger of such evils, as was likely. "He does not impose a law, but points out a remedy, to younger widows" [CHRYSOSTOM]. bear children-- (Ti1 2:15); thus gaining one of the qualifications (Ti1 5:10) for being afterwards a presbyteress widow, should Providence so ordain it. guide--Greek, "rule the house" in the woman's due place; not usurping authority over the man (Ti1 2:12). give none occasion--literally, "starting-point": handle of reproach through the loose conduct of nominal Christians. the adversary--of Christianity, Jew or Gentile. Phi 1:28; Tit 2:8, "He that is of the contrary part." Not Satan, who is introduced in a different relation (Ti1 5:15). to speak reproachfully--literally, "for the sake of reproach" (Ti1 3:7; Ti1 6:1; Tit 2:5, Tit 2:10). If the handle were given, the adversary would use it for the sake of reproach. The adversary is eager to exaggerate the faults of a few, and to lay the blame on the whole Church and its doctrines [BENGEL].

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

younger women--rather, as ellipsis ought to be supplied, "the younger widows," namely younger widows in general, as distinguished from the older widows taken on the roll of presbyteresses (Ti1 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (Ti1 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with Co1 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare Co1 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and the other evils noted in Ti1 5:11-13. Of course, where there was no tendency to these evils, marriage again would not be so requisite; Paul speaks of what is generally desirable, and supposing there should be danger of such evils, as was likely. "He does not impose a law, but points out a remedy, to younger widows" [CHRYSOSTOM].

bear children-- (Ti1 2:15); thus gaining one of the qualifications (Ti1 5:10) for being afterwards a presbyteress widow, should Providence so ordain it.

guide--Greek, "rule the house" in the woman's due place; not usurping authority over the man (Ti1 2:12).

give none occasion--literally, "starting-point": handle of reproach through the loose conduct of nominal Christians.

the adversary--of Christianity, Jew or Gentile. Phi 1:28; Tit 2:8, "He that is of the contrary part." Not Satan, who is introduced in a different relation (Ti1 5:15).

to speak reproachfully--literally, "for the sake of reproach" (Ti1 3:7; Ti1 6:1; Tit 2:5, Tit 2:10). If the handle were given, the adversary would use it for the sake of reproach. The adversary is eager to exaggerate the faults of a few, and to lay the blame on the whole Church and its doctrines [BENGEL].

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I will therefore - I give it as my opinion; or this is my counsel; compare notes, Co1 7:6, Co1 7:10, Co1 7:40. That the younger women marry - The word "women" is not expressed or necessarily implied in the original - neooteras - - and it is evident that the apostle here had particular reference to "widows," and that the injunction should be understood as relating to them. We are not to suppose that he gives this as an absolute and universal command, for it might not always be at the option of the widow to marry again, and it cannot be doubted that there may be cases where it would be unadvisable. But he speaks of this as a general rule. It is better for such persons to have domestic concerns that require their attention, than it is to be exposed to the evils of an idle life. We may learn from this: (1) that second marriages are not improper or unlawful, but that in some circumstances they may be preferable to widowhood; (2) that marriage itself is in a high degree honorable. How different are the views of the inspired apostle Paul about marriage from those of the Papists! Bear children, guide the house - These words signify, says Bloomfield, to "exercise and occupy themselves in the duties of a wife." It is better to be employed in the duties growing out of the cares of a family, than to lead a life of celibacy. Give none occasion to the adversary - The enemy of religion - the pagan or the infidel. To speak reproachfully - Margin, "for their railing." That is, on account of a life which would do no honor to religion. In the performance of domestic duties, when fully employed, they would avoid the evils specified in Ti1 5:13. Every one who professes religion should so live as to give no occasion to an infidel or a man of the world to speak reproachfully of the cause of the Redeemer.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

I will therefore - I give it as my opinion; or this is my counsel; compare notes, Co1 7:6, Co1 7:10, Co1 7:40.

That the younger women marry - The word "women" is not expressed or necessarily implied in the original - neooteras - - and it is evident that the apostle here had particular reference to "widows," and that the injunction should be understood as relating to them. We are not to suppose that he gives this as an absolute and universal command, for it might not always be at the option of the widow to marry again, and it cannot be doubted that there may be cases where it would be unadvisable. But he speaks of this as a general rule. It is better for such persons to have domestic concerns that require their attention, than it is to be exposed to the evils of an idle life. We may learn from this:

(1) that second marriages are not improper or unlawful, but that in some circumstances they may be preferable to widowhood;

(2) that marriage itself is in a high degree honorable. How different are the views of the inspired apostle Paul about marriage from those of the Papists!

Bear children, guide the house - These words signify, says Bloomfield, to "exercise and occupy themselves in the duties of a wife." It is better to be employed in the duties growing out of the cares of a family, than to lead a life of celibacy.

Give none occasion to the adversary - The enemy of religion - the pagan or the infidel.

To speak reproachfully - Margin, "for their railing." That is, on account of a life which would do no honor to religion. In the performance of domestic duties, when fully employed, they would avoid the evils specified in Ti1 5:13. Every one who professes religion should so live as to give no occasion to an infidel or a man of the world to speak reproachfully of the cause of the Redeemer.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
That the younger women marry (νεωτέρας γαμεῖν) Better, the younger widows. This seems to be required by οὖν therefore, connecting the subject of the verb with the class just described. They are enjoined to marry, rather than to assume a position in the church which they might disgrace by the conduct described in Ti1 5:11-13. Comp. Co1 7:8, Co1 7:9. Bear children (τεκνογονεῖν) N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Comp. τεκνογονία childbearing, Ti1 2:15. Guide the house (οἰκοδεσποτεῖν) Better, rule the house. N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Ὁικοδεσπότης master of the house is quite common in the Synoptic Gospels. Occasion (ἀφορμὴν) See on Rom 7:8. To the adversary (τῷ ἀντικειμένῳ) The one who is set over against. Not Satan, but the human enemy of Christianity. Comp. Phi 1:28, and ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας he that is of the contrary part, Tit 2:8. To speak reproachfully (λοιδορίας χάριν) Lit. in the interest of reviling. Const. with give on occasion. Λοιδορία reviling only here and Pe1 3:9. For the verb λοιδορεῖν to revile see Joh 9:28; Act 23:4; Co1 4:12; and note on Joh 9:28.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

That the younger women marry (νεωτέρας γαμεῖν)

Better, the younger widows. This seems to be required by οὖν therefore, connecting the subject of the verb with the class just described. They are enjoined to marry, rather than to assume a position in the church which they might disgrace by the conduct described in Ti1 5:11-13. Comp. Co1 7:8, Co1 7:9.

Bear children (τεκνογονεῖν)

N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Comp. τεκνογονία childbearing, Ti1 2:15.

Guide the house (οἰκοδεσποτεῖν)

Better, rule the house. N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Ὁικοδεσπότης master of the house is quite common in the Synoptic Gospels.

Occasion (ἀφορμὴν)

See on Rom 7:8.

To the adversary (τῷ ἀντικειμένῳ)

The one who is set over against. Not Satan, but the human enemy of Christianity. Comp. Phi 1:28, and ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας he that is of the contrary part, Tit 2:8.

To speak reproachfully (λοιδορίας χάριν)

Lit. in the interest of reviling. Const. with give on occasion. Λοιδορία reviling only here and Pe1 3:9. For the verb λοιδορεῖν to revile see Joh 9:28; Act 23:4; Co1 4:12; and note on Joh 9:28.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
I counsel therefore the younger women - Widows or virgins, such as are not disposed to live single. To marry, to bear children, to guide the family - Then will they have sufficient employment of their own. And give no occasion of reproach to the adversary - Whether Jew or heathen.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

I counsel therefore the younger women - Widows or virgins, such as are not disposed to live single. To marry, to bear children, to guide the family - Then will they have sufficient employment of their own. And give no occasion of reproach to the adversary - Whether Jew or heathen.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I will therefore that the younger women marry - As the preceding discourse has been about the younger widows, and this is an inference from it; it is most evident that by the younger women the apostle means the young widows. These he considers unfit for the office of the female diaconate, and therefore wills them to marry, educate children, and give themselves wholly up to domestic affairs. Here the apostle, so far from forbidding second marriages, positively enjoins or at least recommends them. And what man of sense could have done otherwise in the cases he mentions? It is no sin in any case to marry, bear children, and take care of a family; but it is a sin in every case to be idle persons, gadders about, tattlers, busybodies, sifting out and detailing family secrets, etc., etc. The good sentiment, put by an able poet and pious divine into the mouths of little children, cannot be ill applied to multitudes of women, mothers, and grandmothers: - "See how the little busy bee Improves each shining hour, And gathers honey all the day From every opening flower! In works of labor or of skill, We should be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief, still, For idle hands to do." Dr. Watts. The adversary - Any person, whether Jew or Gentile, who might be watching for an occasion to reproach, through the misconduct of its professors, the cause of Christianity.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

I will therefore that the younger women marry - As the preceding discourse has been about the younger widows, and this is an inference from it; it is most evident that by the younger women the apostle means the young widows. These he considers unfit for the office of the female diaconate, and therefore wills them to marry, educate children, and give themselves wholly up to domestic affairs. Here the apostle, so far from forbidding second marriages, positively enjoins or at least recommends them. And what man of sense could have done otherwise in the cases he mentions? It is no sin in any case to marry, bear children, and take care of a family; but it is a sin in every case to be idle persons, gadders about, tattlers, busybodies, sifting out and detailing family secrets, etc., etc. The good sentiment, put by an able poet and pious divine into the mouths of little children, cannot be ill applied to multitudes of women, mothers, and grandmothers: - "See how the little busy bee Improves each shining hour, And gathers honey all the day From every opening flower! In works of labor or of skill, We should be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief, still, For idle hands to do." Dr. Watts.

The adversary - Any person, whether Jew or Gentile, who might be watching for an occasion to reproach, through the misconduct of its professors, the cause of Christianity.

Top