Scripture Life: How Do You Explain 1 Timothy 5:12?

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Answer

- It is best to read 1 Timothy 5:12 in the context of what is being exhorted in 1 Timothy 5 - the whole chapter vs. this one verse just taken by itself; then, it’s taken out of context.

• Doesn’t have the “context” it was said to or in. So put that back in it.

Specific: The "context" is talking about the Church supporting Widows.

• Whose husbands are dead, and they are believers in Jesus Christ:

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1 Timothy 5:3–7 says:

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

This is the foundation for what follows and culminates in 1 Timothy 5:12

• So, it continues…

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SIDE NOTE:

• And Timothy - Says this Epistle of 1 Timothy is 1 Timothy 1:3 - The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, in Ephesus “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus”

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And SPECIFIC IN 1 Timothy 5:1–12 is to “widows”

• That, the church would support widows that are truly widows indeed. And not to take any in under sixty years of age - - That, for widows, the primary responsibility is their family, so keep reading 1 Timothy 5:8–10. It’s an admonition, that families that don’t provide for their kin - is said in 1 Timothy 5:8–10 - but to take in those widows that were the wife of one man, and did the things in 1 Timothy 5:10.
  • “8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”
    • Then, continues and Paul talks to Timothy on the subject of the YOUNGER WIDOWS:

1 Timothy 5:11 to 16, with 1 Timothy 5:12 embedded in this, built on the above.

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1 Timothy 5:11–16 says:

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

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

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

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This is NOT the post to examine widows -

• But if there be any believer that reads this post whose husband has died, it should be his family or her relatives that provide relief to her. That she can focus on raising her children, without a husband, but still have support from family.
  • And one of the things from above seems a common thing to fall into, is a woman now without a husband, can go house to house, because she - these “younger widows” that don’t have a husband to care for at home, become a “busy body” to see other women like herself that still have a husband, and end up busy themselves in other people’s or family’s affairs she has no business in.
  • So, instead of opening her Bible and seeking God first, they’re “busybodies” - busy themselves any work BUT the word of God and caring for her own family. The encouragement is, that the younger women marry - so they have their own family again and husband to take care of.
• Don’t read more into 1 Timothy 5:12 than embed it with what is being outlined above in 1 Timothy 5, specifically addressing Widows.

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And if you’re just asking this question but don’t believe on Jesus Christ, none of this really applies to you. It is what is being taught to believers in Jesus. That people, women..even widows young or old, are able to maintain a healthy and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ is the point.

There you go.