1 Timothy 5 · Verse 14

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.
1 Timothy 5:14, King James Version

1 Timothy 5:14 in other translations

BSBSo I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
WEBI desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
ASVI desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
YLTI wish, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer to reviling;
DARBYI will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.
BBESo it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,
WebsterI will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

What does 1 Timothy 5:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. 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. (1Ti 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with 1Co 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare 1Co 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and the other evils noted in 1Ti 5:11-13. Of course, where there was no tendency to these evils, marriage again would not be so requisite; Paul speaks of what is generally desirable, and supposing there should be danger of such evils, as was likely. "He does not impose a law, but points out a remedy, to younger widows" [Chrysostom]. bear children--(1Ti 2:15); thus gaining one of the qualifications (1Ti 5:10) for being afterwards a presbyteress widow, should Providence so ordain it. guide--Greek, "rule the house" in the woman's due place; not usurping authority over the man (1Ti 2:12). give none occasion--literally, "starting-point": handle of reproach through the loose conduct of nominal Christians. the adversary--of Christianity, Jew or Gentile. Php 1:28; Tit 2:8, "He that is of the contrary part." Not Satan, who is introduced in a different relation (1Ti 5:15). to speak reproachfully--literally, "for the sake of reproach" (1Ti 3:7; 6:1; Tit 2:5, 10). If the handle were given, the adversary would use it for the sake of reproach. The adversary is eager to exaggerate the faults of a few, and to lay the blame on the whole Church and its doctrines [Bengel].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. I will therefore. I give it as my opinion; or this is my counsel. 1Cor 7:6,10,40.

That the younger women marry. The word women is not expressed or necessarily implied in the original--νεωτερας--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 a 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 honourable. 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 heathen or the infidel.

To speak reproachfully. Marg., for their railing. That is, on account of a life which would do no honour to religion. In the performance of domestic duties, when fully employed, they would avoid the evils specified in 1Timm 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.

(1) "to speak reproachfully" "for their railing"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 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? It is no sin in any case to marry, bear children, and take care of a family; but it is a sin in every case to be idle persons, gadders about, tattlers, busybodies, sifting out and detailing family secrets, etc., etc. The good sentiment, put by an able poet and pious divine into the mouths of little children, cannot be ill applied to multitudes of women, mothers, and grandmothers: - "See how the little busy bee Improves each shining hour, And gathers honey all the day From every opening flower! In works of labor or of skill, We should be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief, still, For idle hands to do." Dr. Watts. The adversary - Any person, whether Jew or Gentile, who might be watching for an occasion to reproach, through the misconduct of its professors, the cause of Christianity.

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…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 5:9-16 →

1 Timothy 5:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΒούλομαιBoulomaiI wantG1014
οὖνounthereforeG3767
νεωτέραςneōteras[the] younger [ones]G3501
γαμεῖν,gameinto marry,G1060
τεκνογονεῖν,teknogoneinto bear children,G5041
οἰκοδεσποτεῖν,oikodespoteinto manage their households,G3616
μηδεμίανmēdemiannoG3367
ἀφορμὴνaphormēnoccasionG874
διδόναιdidonaito giveG1325
τῷtōto the [one]G3588
ἀντικειμένῳantikeimenōopposingG480
λοιδορίαςloidoriasof reproachG3059
χάριν·charinbecause;G5484

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 5:14

  • Titus 2:5

    To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  • 1 Timothy 6:1

    Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

  • Proverbs 31:27-29

    She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

  • Titus 2:8

    Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

    I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  • Daniel 6:4

    Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

  • Proverbs 14:1

    Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

  • 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.

  • Romans 14:13

    Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

  • 1 Timothy 5:11

    But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

  • Genesis 18:6

    And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I will.
2:8
the younger.
11; 4:3; 1Co 7:8,9; Heb 13:4
guide.
Ge 18:6,9; Pr 14:1; 31:27-29; Tit 2:5; *Gr:
give.
6:1; 2Sa 12:14; Da 6:4; Ro 14:13; 2Co 11:12; Tit 2:5,8; 1Pe 4:14,15
to speak reproachfully. Gr. for their railing.
Lu 23:35-41

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Timothy 5:13

    And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

  • 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.

  • 1 Timothy 5:15

    For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Read all of 1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Quiero pues, que las que son jóvenes se casen, críen hijos, gobiernen la casa; que ninguna ocasión den al adversario para maldecir.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je veux donc que les jeunes se marient, aient des enfants, gouvernent leur maison, ne donnent aucune occasion à l’adversaire à cause des mauvais propos;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich will nun, daß jüngere Witwen heiraten, Kinder gebären, Haushaltung führen, dem Widersacher keinen Anlaß geben der Lästerung halber;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Volo ergo juniores nubere, filios procreare, matresfamilias esse, nullam occasionem dare adversario maledicti gratia.