Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 5:12

"having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge." — 1 Timothy 5:12 (ASV)

Regarding the widows under sixty years of age, Paul instructs Timothy not to put them on the official list. Most of them will become restless against the limitations of Christian widowhood and will want to marry. If they do, they incur “judgment” (GK 3210), because they will have broken “their first pledge” (GK 4411), i.e., the solemn promise to be devoted only to Christ that they made when they joined the list of widows.