1 Timothy 5:14

To that which is objected from the word of the Apostle: I will that the younger women marry, etc.: it must be said that neither is this a precept, but it is permissive, just as the preceding one; and therefore it does not follow that …

Then when he says, I will, therefore, that the younger should marry, he shows what they should apply themselves to, namely, that they marry: first, he gives his teaching; second, the reason, at for some. He says, therefore: I will, therefore, that the younger, namely, …

Since he said: "that they manage the house," lest it seem that he gives them freedom to indulge in worldly pleasures, he added: "give no occasion to the adversary for slander." Take care of the house in such a way, he says, that you do …

Especially, he says, I desired that they not break their vows. Since they themselves desire marriage, I too, condescending to them, want this. For it is better for them to "manage the house," that is, to have care for their own household and bear the …

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.

Observe, If housekeepers do not mind their business, but are tattlers, they give occasion to the adversaries of Christianity to reproach the Christian name, which, it seems, there were some instances of,

), which he would not if hereby they must have broken their vows. Dr. Whitby well observes, "If this faith referred to a promise made to the church not to marry, it could not be called their first faith." Withal they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but tattlers, &c.,

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens

I will therefore that the younger women marry,....

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?

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.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase

I will therefore - I give it as my opinion; or this is my counsel; compare notes, 1Co 7:6, 1Co 7:10, 1Co 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 1Ti 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.