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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadEzekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 1 Timothy 5:14 - 5:14
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Ver. 14. I wish, therefore, that the younger [widows]—this is certainly what must be supplied, widows alone being the subject of discourse, not generally women—marry, bear children, manage the house, give no occasion for reproach to the adversary. The therefore indicates the connection with what precedes: Since the case is such, so great a tendency among the younger widows to turn from the chastened, spiritual course which becomes them, and betake to the improprieties just mentioned, I give as my deliberate mind (for such is the force of âïýëïìáé ) that they should marry, etc. In their position as widows, especially if widows alimented by the church, they were exposed to temptations which usually they were unable to resist; let them therefore get, if they can, into circumstances which will withdraw them from the temptations, and afford scope for the exercise of the ordinary domestic virtues. And when it is said, as a further reason for this, that occasion of reproach would be cut off from the adversary, by the adversary must plainly be understood, not any particular individual either in this world or the world of spirits (Chrys., also Huther, the devil), but collectively such as stood arrayed against the cause of the gospel, and were ready to catch hold of anything in the life of Christians which might be turned into a weapon of assault. The closely parallel passage of Tit_2:8, though differing in the mode of expression, confirms this view: “that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Here also the hostile party are personified as one.