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But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

Verse Takeaways

1

"Wanton" Means Restless

Modern readers might misunderstand the phrase "wax wanton." Scholars clarify the original Greek word doesn't primarily mean lewdness or sexual immorality. Instead, it describes becoming restless, impatient with the constraints of the widow's role, and feeling a natural, youthful desire for marriage. Paul is describing a predictable human impulse, not necessarily a sinful one.

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Book Overview

1 Timothy

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Commentaries

7

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 1 Timothy 5:11

18th Century

Theologian

But the younger widows refuse. This means, regarding the matter under discussion, do not admit them into the class of widows previously me…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On 1 Timothy 5:11

But younger widows refuse (νεωτερας δε χηρας παραιτου). Present middle imperative as in 4:7. "Beg off from." They lack experience …

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 1 Timothy 5:11

19th Century

Bishop

But the younger widows refuse.—The younger women (with "younger" used in a general sense) must positively be excluded from, and held ineli…

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On 1 Timothy 5:11

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 again…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On 1 Timothy 5:11

16th Century

Theologian

Error: Completed but no modernized text found in DB

John Gill

John Gill

On 1 Timothy 5:11

17th Century

Pastor

But the younger widows refuse
To admit them into the number of widows relieved by the church; partly because they ar…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 1 Timothy 5:9–16

17th Century

Minister

Everyone brought into any office in the church should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet should not be employed…