1 Timothy 5:14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

◄ 1 Timothy 5:14 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

English Standard Version
So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;

King James Bible
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.

International Standard Version
Therefore, I want younger widows to remarry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.

American Standard Version
I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:

Douay-Rheims Bible
I will therefore that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil.

Darby Bible Translation
I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

Young's Literal Translation
I wish, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer to reviling;

Cross References

1 Corinthians 7:9
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

1 Timothy 2:8
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

1 Timothy 4:3
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 6:1
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:5
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

5:9-16 Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. All believers are required to relieve those belonging to their families who are destitute, that the church may not be prevented from relieving such as are entirely destitute and friendless.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

14. 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 (1Ti 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (1Ti 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with 1Co 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare 1Co 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and the other evils noted in 1Ti 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—(1Ti 2:15); thus gaining one of the qualifications (1Ti 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 (1Ti 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. Php 1:28; Tit 2:8, "He that is of the contrary part." Not Satan, who is introduced in a different relation (1Ti 5:15).

to speak reproachfully—literally, "for the sake of reproach" (1Ti 3:7; 6:1; Tit 2:5, 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].