I had some questions about 1 Timothy 5. First, it seemed to be that verses 11-12 and 14 contradicted each other:
"11 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. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge."
"14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander."
It might seem like a weird verse to be asking about, but I was just confused because these verses didn't seem to match up.
Also, I didn't really understand what verse 22a was saying.
"22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands" It doesn't seem to go with the second part of the verse "and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure."
Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts let me know.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The widow thing has to do with how the Church was taking care of them. Older widows were supported by the Church, at least they got some meals and so forth. So Paul is saying don't put a young widow on the list because she is going to want to get remarried and then she will be taking advantage of the Church, so to speak. I don't know what the women's pledge was, but maybe they served in other ways to sort of "pay back" the Church. And if a woman married, she would have to attend to household duties and not be able to fulfill whatever it was that was pledged.
ReplyDeleteAs for vs 22, the New Living says don't be hasty about appointing a leader. So it was laying on of hands in terms of commissioning a leader. So perhaps he is saying don't be in a rush to pick a bunch of leaders, because if they are not ready to really live for God, then when they fall, you have participated in that.
Just my thoughts.