Moment of Meditation: Young Widows to Marry (1 Timothy 5:11-12)

As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list.
For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ,
they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves,
because they have broken their first pledge.
(1 Timothy 5:11-12)

Young Widows to Marry

True widows who had no one to care for them were registered with the congregation for help. Younger widows have a greater desire to remarry. Part of that registration was a vow of celibacy for the rest of their lives. What twenty-something or thirty-something widow is going to make such a vow? To completely write off any chance of finding love and remarrying? This is the pledge or vow that Paul cautions Timothy not to allow them to make.

St. Paul continues, "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). Paul also says, "If they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:9). Burning with passion gives Satan the perfect opportunity for slander. Younger widows need not have this burden placed on them. So Paul tells Timothy to allow them to remarry. No judgment will befall them because they are keeping themselves pure in regards to their passion. Amen.