Bible Strands
1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, instructing him on church administration regarding widows. He addresses younger widows directly in the context of preventing idleness and gossip among them.
The words — The text uses οἰκοδεσποτεῖν (oikodespotein), meaning to manage their households, and ἀφορμὴν (aphormēn), meaning occasion or pretext. These terms frame domestic responsibility as a strategic defense against slander.
The thread — This instruction parallels the domestic ethic in Titus 2:5 and echoes the diligent household management described in Proverbs 31:27. It also aligns with the principle of honoring one's station to protect the gospel's reputation, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:1.
Why it lands — The verse commands younger widows to pursue marriage, childbirth, and household management to remove grounds for criticism. It requires readers to view practical domestic duties as a tangible defense against spiritual opposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
Cross-references
- Titus 2:5 to 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 Timothy 6:1 All 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.
- Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8 Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
- Titus 2:8 and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
- Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
- Daniel 6:4 Thus 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.
- 1 Timothy 4:3 They 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.
- Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- Genesis 18:6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”