1 Timothy 5:11
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1 Timothy 5:11 in other translations
| BSB | But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, |
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| WEB | But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, |
| ASV | But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; |
| YLT | and younger widows be refusing, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry, |
| DARBY | But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, |
| BBE | But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married; |
| Webster | But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they will marry; |
What does 1 Timothy 5:11 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
For when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ. There is probably a thought conveyed by these words to most minds which is by no means in the original, and which does injustice both to the apostle and to the "younger widows" referred to. In the Greek there is no idea of wantonness in the sense of lasciviousness or lewdness; nor was this, though now a common idea attached to the word, by any means essential to it when our translation was made. The word wanton then meant wandering or roving in gayety or sport; moving or flying loosely; playing in the wind; then, wandering from moral rectitude, licentious, dissolute, libidinous.--Webster. The Greek word here used, καταστρηνιαζω, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The word στρηνιαω --however, is used twice, and is in both cases translated lived deliciously, Rev 18:7,9. The word is derived from στρηνος --strenos-- (whence strenuous,) properly meaning rudeness, insolence, pride, and hence, revel, riot, luxury; or from στρηνης, strenes the adjective,--strong, stiff, hard, rough. The verb then means "to live strenuously, rudely," as in English, "to live hard;" also to live wild, or without restraint; to run riot, to live luxuriously. The idea of strength is the essential one, and then of strength that is not subordinate to law; that is wild and riotous. See Passow and Robinson, Lex. The sense here is, that they would not be subordinate to the restraints implied in that situation; they would become impatient, and would marry again. The idea is not that of wantonness or lewdness, but it is that of a mind not subdued by age and by trials, and that would be impatient under the necessary restraints of the condition which was contemplated. They could not be depended on with certainty, but they might be expected again to enter into the married relation.
They will marry. It is clear from this that the apostle did not contemplate any vows which would prevent their marrying again; nor does he say that it would be absolutely wrong for them to marry, even if they were admitted into that rank, as if there were any vows to restrain them from doing it. This passage, therefore, can never be adduced in favour of that practice of taking the veil in nunneries, and of a vow of perpetual seclusion from the world.
(*) "refuse" "reject" (+) "wanton against Christ" "To grow weary of the restraint of Christ"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9-16
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very…
1 Timothy 5:11 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Timothy 5:11
- 1 Timothy 5:14
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
- Hosea 13:6
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
- James 5:5
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
- Isaiah 3:16
Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
- 1 Corinthians 7:39-40
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
- 1 Timothy 5:9
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
- Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
- 1 Timothy 4:3
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
- Revelation 18:7
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
- 2 Peter 2:18
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Timothy 5:10
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.
- 1 Timothy 5:11
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
- 1 Timothy 5:12
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1 Timothy 5:11 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Pero viudas más jóvenes no admitas: porque después de hacerse licenciosas contra Cristo, quieren casarse. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mais refuse les veuves qui sont jeunes; car, quand elles s’élèvent contre le Christ en s’abandonnant à leurs désirs, elles veulent se marier, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Jüngere Witwen aber weise ab; denn wenn sie üppig geworden sind wider Christum, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Adolescentiores autem viduas devita: cum enim luxuriatæ fuerint in Christo, nubere volunt: |