1 Timothy 5:14 kjv
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1 Timothy 5:14 nkjv
Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1 Timothy 5:14 niv
So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
1 Timothy 5:14 esv
So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
1 Timothy 5:14 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.
1 Timothy 5 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 5:14 | "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide their homes, give none occasion to the adversary." | Author's counsel on practical Christian living. |
| Titus 2:4-5 | "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." | Echoes the importance of domestic responsibility and conduct. |
| 1 Corinthians 7:2 | "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." | Support for marriage to prevent immorality. |
| Genesis 2:18 | "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." | God’s institution of marriage for companionship and support. |
| Ephesians 5:22-24 | "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body." | Foundation for the wife's role in the home. |
| Ephesians 5:25-28 | "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself." | Mutual love and respect within marriage. |
| 1 Peter 3:1-2 | "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any of them be disobedient to the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." | Importance of a wife's chaste behavior winning over an unbelieving husband. |
| 1 Timothy 2:15 | "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." | Acknowledges the role of childbearing in a woman's life and spiritual well-being. |
| Psalm 127:3 | "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." | Children as a blessing from God. |
| Proverbs 14:1 | "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands." | The significance of a woman’s role in building her home. |
| Proverbs 31:10-31 | (Description of the Virtuous Woman) | A comprehensive picture of a woman’s domestic and capable management. |
| Acts 16:14-15 | "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide where I am." | Example of a woman with an open heart and hospitable home. |
| Romans 14:1 | "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." | Implies considering how actions affect those outside the faith. |
| 1 Corinthians 10:32 | "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:" | A general principle of avoiding giving offense. |
| John 13:35 | "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." | How conduct impacts perception of believers. |
| Colossians 3:23 | "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" | Doing all things for God's glory, including home management. |
| 1 Peter 2:12 | "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall see, glorify God in the day of visitation." | Positive influence on non-believers through good conduct. |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." | The overarching importance of love in all relationships and conduct. |
| James 3:1-2 | "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." | Caution against careless speech and the impact it can have. |
| 1 Corinthians 7:9 | "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." | Further support for marriage to manage desires. |
1 Timothy 5 verses
1 Timothy 5 14 Meaning
To advise younger women to marry, manage their homes, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. This verse encourages marital commitment, domestic responsibility, and careful conduct to avoid negative perceptions by non-believers.
1 Timothy 5 14 Context
First Timothy is a pastoral epistle from Paul to Timothy, whom he had left in Ephesus to guide the church. Chapter 5 addresses specific groups within the church, including widows and elders. Verse 14 specifically speaks to the younger women. In the cultural context of Ephesus, marriage was highly valued, and societal expectations placed a significant emphasis on a woman's role within the home. Unmarried women, or those not managing their homes effectively, could become a point of vulnerability for the church, giving critics reason to speak against the Christian faith. Paul's instruction here is practical, aimed at fostering healthy family units and demonstrating the integrity of the church to the surrounding pagan society. The passage flows from Paul’s instructions regarding younger widows who were encouraged to marry, and extends to all younger women.
1 Timothy 5 14 Word Analysis
- "I will therefore":
- (Greek: bou_lo_mai ou_n) - "I wish, therefore." This signifies Paul's deliberate counsel, a thoughtful conclusion based on the preceding discussion.
- "that the younger women":
- (Greek: ta_s neo_te_ra_s gynai_ka_s) - Refers to younger married women, distinguishing them from the older widows discussed earlier.
- "marry":
- (Greek: gamei_n) - A present infinitive, indicating a general, continuous recommendation for marriage, not a specific instruction for an immediate wedding. It conveys the concept of "to marry" or "to be married."
- "bear children":
- (Greek: teknogo_ne_in) - The verb means "to beget children." It reflects the common and accepted purpose of marriage in that era.
- "guide their homes":
- (Greek: oi_kodes_po_tei_n) - Literally "to be mistress of the house" or "to manage the household." This implies responsible oversight of domestic affairs, children, and resources.
- "give none occasion to the adversary":
- (Greek: do_na_i to i o _ to * _to ) - This means "to give an opportunity or pretext to the enemy."
- "Adversary" (Greek: an_ti_kei_me_no_s) - Refers to Satan, or more broadly, to opponents of the Christian faith who would seek to find fault and slander the church.
1 Timothy 5 14 Bonus Section
The emphasis on "guiding their homes" (oi_kodes_po_tei_n) underscores a proactive and responsible role for women in managing the domestic sphere. This wasn't a passive role but one that required diligence and wisdom, aligning with descriptions like that of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. This concept is presented as an antidote to idleness or undisciplined behavior that could lead to gossip or criticism, thus providing no "occasion" (or a_forme) for opponents to slander. The Greek word implies an opportunity or a starting point for accusation, highlighting the need for prudence in all actions.
1 Timothy 5 14 Commentary
Paul's advice for younger women is rooted in creating stable households that reflect well on the Christian faith. He emphasizes marriage and child-bearing not as ultimate spiritual achievements, but as normative and beneficial roles for young women, contributing to the overall health and testimony of the church. Effective home management is crucial; it means being a good steward of domestic responsibilities. The ultimate goal is to live in such a way that unbelievers have no legitimate basis for criticizing or attacking Christianity. This calls for diligent, virtuous living within the domestic sphere.
- A young woman's commitment to her husband and home can be a powerful, silent sermon to the world.
- Disorder or neglect in the home can inadvertently provide ammunition for those hostile to the faith.