So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
Parallel translations
- WEB I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
- KJV I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
- NKJV Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
- NASB Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and give the enemy no opportunity for reproach;
- NLT So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul's positive counsel is that younger widows remarry, raise children, and manage their homes, giving the enemy no occasion to slander. Wholesome domestic life guards both them and the church's witness.
Overview
Rather than leaving younger widows to idleness, Paul commends remarriage and the honorable work of managing a household. This protects them from the dangers just named and shields the church's reputation from reproach by the adversary, whether human opponents or Satan. The instruction affirms the goodness of marriage and ordinary faithful living as a setting for godliness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Titus 2:5to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.
- 1 Tim 6:1All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
- Prov 31:27–29She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
- 1 Cor 7:8–9Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
- Titus 2:8and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
- Heb 13:4Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- Dan 6:4Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
- Prov 14:1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
- 1 Tim 4:3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- 1 Tim 2:8Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.
- 1 Pet 4:14–15If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
- 1 Tim 5:11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
- 2 Cor 11:12But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
- Luke 23:35–41The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
- Gen 18:6So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”
- Rom 14:13Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
- Gen 18:9“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked. “There, in the tent,” he replied.
- 2 Sam 12:14Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”
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Original language
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