1 Timothy 5:9-12
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband; 10 and she must be well attested for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. 11 But refuse to enrol younger widows; for when they grow wanton against Christ they desire to marry, 12 and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge.[a]
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- 5.12 Paul had no objection to widows marrying again; cf. 1 Cor 7.8-9. But the widows here had clearly made some sort of vow or promise to serve the church in singleness. Paul recommended that younger widows should marry again (verse 14).
1 Timothy 5:9-12
New King James Version
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But [a]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first [b]faith.
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- 1 Timothy 5:11 Refuse to enroll
- 1 Timothy 5:12 Or solemn promise
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
