1 Timothy 5:12 kjv
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1 Timothy 5:12 nkjv
having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
1 Timothy 5:12 niv
Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.
1 Timothy 5:12 esv
and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
1 Timothy 5:12 nlt
Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge.
1 Timothy 5 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 5:12 | ...having condemnation because they have rendered void their former faith. | Conditional Salvation, Broken Vows |
| 1 Cor 11:3 | ...Christ is the head of the man, and the head of the woman is Christ. | Authority and Submission |
| Heb 10:26 | For if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no longer remains a sacrifice... | Deliberate Sin After Salvation |
| 2 Pet 2:20 | For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome... | Falling Away, Spiritual Regression |
| Gal 5:4 | You are severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. | Nullifying Grace, Legalism |
| John 15:6 | If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. | Abiding in Christ, Spiritual Fruit |
| 1 Tim 5:5 | She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has hope in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day... | Genuine Widowhood and Spiritual Life |
| Rom 1:32 | Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. | Worsening Sin, Shared Guilt |
| Matt 12:31 | Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. | Unforgivable Sin (Blasphemy of the Spirit) |
| 1 Cor 7:39 | A wife is bound as long as her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only in the Lord. | Remarriage in the Lord |
| Luke 12:48 | But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a few blows. And to whom much is given, much will be required and from him they will ask more. | Responsibility Based on Knowledge |
| Heb 6:4-6 | For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance... | Impossible to Restore After Falling Away |
| 1 John 5:16 | If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—life to those who commit sins not leading to death. There is sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make prayer for it. | Sin Leading to Death |
| Acts 5:4 | And not denying it, you were able to keep it for yourself? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? Why is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. | Lying to the Holy Spirit |
| 2 Cor 11:3 | But I am afraid that somehow your minds may be corrupted from the simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. | Corruption of Devotion, Deception |
| Rom 10:9 | ...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | Confession and Belief for Salvation |
| Tit 1:16 | They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, obedient to every good work. | Professing Faith, Denying by Works |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | He must not be a recent convert, lest he become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. | Danger of Conceit, Falling into Condemnation |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. | Denying Faith Through Neglect of Duty |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. | The Holy Spirit and Witnessing |
1 Timothy 5 verses
1 Timothy 5 12 Meaning
This verse speaks about the condemnation faced by widows who abandon their initial commitment to Christ after being accepted into the church’s care. It signifies a broken vow and a return to former ways, leading to a public judgment against them.
1 Timothy 5 12 Context
First Timothy 5 deals with practical instruction for the church, specifically concerning the care and treatment of elders and widows. Chapter 5:9-10 outlines qualifications for widows who are to be supported by the church, emphasizing a life of good deeds, consistent faith, and commitment. Verse 12 introduces a specific scenario involving a widow who was previously placed on the church’s list for support, indicating she was accepted based on these qualifications. The verse highlights the serious consequence of this widow abandoning her "former faith" or commitment to Christ after this acceptance, leading to her condemnation. This suggests a public covenant or a vow made when accepted for church support, the breaking of which is viewed as a profound spiritual failure with severe repercussions.
1 Timothy 5 12 Word Analysis
- ē (ē): Greek conjunction, meaning "but" or "and" (but here functions as a connector with a contrastive implication, linking to previous requirements).
- katadikēn (katadikēn): From the Greek word "katadikazo" (katadikazo), meaning "condemnation" or "judgment." In this context, it refers to a state of being judged worthy of punishment, not necessarily the final judgment but a clear condemnation for her actions.
- echontes (echontes): Present active participle of "echo" (echo), meaning "having" or "holding." It describes those who possess this condemnation.
- prōtēn (prōtēn): Feminine accusative singular of "protos" (protos), meaning "first" or "former." Refers to her initial commitment or vow.
- pistis (pistis): Greek for "faith" or "belief" or "commitment." In this specific context, given the vow/promise implied, it points to a pledge of faithfulness or devotion made.
- ethan (ethan): Aorist subjunctive of the verb "ethelo" (ethelo), meaning "to be willing," "to wish," or "to determine." It implies a willful or deliberate act of setting aside her faith.
- ek (ek): Greek preposition, meaning "from" or "out of."
- parabasis (parabasis): From "parabaino" (parabaino), meaning "transgression," "trespass," or "disobedience." It denotes crossing a boundary or failing to adhere to a commitment.
- hētis (hētis): Greek relative pronoun, meaning "who" or "which." Referring back to the widow.
Groups of words:
- "having condemnation": This signifies a definite judgment pronounced against her, a public marking of her failure. It implies that her action is not minor but substantial enough to warrant severe censure within the community and before God.
- "rendered void their former faith": This phrase points to a deliberate abandonment or nullification of her prior commitment. It wasn't an accidental slip but a conscious decision to discard what she had pledged or believed. This implies the church's list was not merely charity but involved an expectation of continued faithfulness, perhaps a solemn vow when entering the list for support.
1 Timothy 5 12 Bonus Section
The concept of "rendering void their former faith" connects to the idea of spiritual backsliding or falling away, a theme explored throughout scripture. It suggests a public repudiation of a solemn promise made before God and the community. Scholars note that the support provided by the church for these widows likely involved a commitment on their part to a life of devotion and consistent prayer. When this commitment is broken, it constitutes a failure of covenant. This is not simply a personal sin but a breach of the public trust and an insult to the spiritual order of the church. This verse, therefore, acts as a stern admonition against professing faith without perseverance, emphasizing the importance of integrity in one's walk with God, especially within the context of communal life and support. The condemnation implies a loss of favor and standing within the community, and potentially a more serious spiritual accounting before God for renouncing a known truth.
1 Timothy 5 12 Commentary
The condemnation described for the widow who abandons her former faith highlights the seriousness of vows made in the context of church support and commitment. When the church accepts a widow for ongoing support, especially as detailed in the preceding verses (1 Tim 5:9-10), there's an implied agreement of continued devotion and faithfulness to Christ. This widow, having enjoyed the benefits of being on this list, deliberately chose to reject or abandon her foundational faith. Such a renunciation, particularly after having tasted the grace and fellowship of the church, incurs significant spiritual consequence, leading to condemnation. It’s a stark warning against spiritual apostasy, particularly for those who have been publicly recognized and supported by the body of Christ. The act invalidates her past professions and creates a new state of being judged by her rejection of truth and commitment.