Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 52

Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 8

1 Timothy 5:13-14 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. KJV

Paul continues his assessment of the younger widows here by declaring these words concerning them and their behavior, (Note: "It is not likely that the Apostle Paul who was so close to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would assume a position of self imposed supreme leader of Christ Church and declare these things concerning younger widows in the Church without it coming to him directly from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, for Paul was assuredly against those who were prideful and puffed up (1 Corinthians 4:18-19) and so he would never take on the role as ruler, but he considered himself just as another brother 'in Christ' amongst many brethren in Christ Church.)" "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." (1 Timothy 5:13) (KJV). When the Apostle Paul writes here, 'And withal they learn to be idle', he is declaring that some of these younger widows receiving financial compensation from the Church in the office of deaconess are neglecting their duties and responsibilities to the Church and instead spending their time unwisely, unresourcefully, and unprofitable to those in the Church they are to care for and help.

The English word 'idle' used here by Paul is translated by the Greek word argos which means inactive, that is, unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless: - barren, idle, slow. The English phrase 'wandering about from house to house' is translated by one Greek word perierchomai meaning to come all around, that is, stroll, vacillate, veer: - fetch a compass, vagabond, wandering about. The English word 'tattlers' is translated by the Greek word phluaros (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning (to bubble); a garrulous person, that is, prater: - tattler, that is, someone who talks a lot, especially someone who talks too much or foolishly. The English word 'busybodies' is translated by the Greek word periergos which means working all around, that is, officious (meddlesome) - busybody or nosy, that is, intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner. In other words, it appears to me that before Paul wrote this first letter to Brother Timothy that there was not an age limit placed upon those women who were widowed being accepted into the office of deaconess in the early Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, however, after Paul had made visits to the various Churches he found these things that he details to Brother Timothy evident in the Church bodies.

Therefore, Paul wants to not allow the younger widows into this office in the Church because it was reported to Paul that many of the younger widows in the Church went about from house to house meddling intrusively in other people's private business and then talking foolishly about things that they were not even fully informed on ruining and wrecking the reputation of many people in Christ Church without seemingly any care or concern for the brothers and sisters in the Church that they hurt. Their meddling and tattling served in many occassions to sow discord among brethren and sisteren in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we recall that this is one of the seven things that our Lord Jesus Christ hates and is an abomination to Him as it is declared in the Proverbs, "These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts {and} plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse, "They do not love work, and they will not work. Gadding, gossiping; never contented with home; always visiting. If it went no farther, this would be intolerable; but they are tattlers - tale-bearers; whisperers; light, trifling persons; all noise and no work. Persons who meddle with the concerns of others; who mind every one’s business but their own. Speaking lies, slanders, calumnies; backbiting their neighbors, and everywhere sowing the seed of dissension."

So with these things happening in many of the Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul declares these words to Brother Timothy concerning the younger widows in the Church, "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) (KJV). When Paul writes here in the beginning of this verse these words, 'I will therefore that the younger women marry', he is not declaring this to be a command from our Lord Jesus Christ that the younger widows must marry, but it is here Paul's desire, that is, the way Paul sees that this earthly life for younger widows would be more enjoyable for themselves and more beneficial and profitable (spiritually) for the Church body if the younger widows would re-marry. When Paul writes that the younger widows should 'bear children' and 'guide the house', he knows that in doing this, it will bring joy into the hearts of the younger women and keep them busy with raising and bringing up their precious children in the nurture, training, and admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ, thus preventing them from nosying and meddling about in the private affairs of others. The little English phrase 'guide the house' is translated by the Greek word oikodespoteō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to be the head of (that is, rule) a family: - guide the house.

The English word 'adversary' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word antikeimai meaning to lie opposite, that is, be adverse (figuratively repugnant) to: - adversary, be contrary, oppose. In this case, the adversary was then and now all the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, therefore, if the widows in the Church of Jesus Christ were going about being tattlers and meddlers in other peoples private affairs this would cause reproach to be hurled at the Church body labeling the entire body of believers as uncreditable in the town or city, but when the widows in the Church were married again and busy with the joy of raising their own family and running their own household, then their would be no cause nor time for them to spend meddling in the affairs of others. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning widows re-marrying, "The word 'women' is not expressed or necessarily implied in the original and it is evident that the Apostle here had particular reference to 'widows,' and that the injunction should be understood as relating to them. We are not to suppose that he gives this as an absolute and universal command, for it might not always be at the option of the widow to marry again, and it cannot be doubted that there may be cases where it would be unadvisable. But he speaks of this as a general rule. It is better for such persons to have domestic concerns that require their attention, than it is to be exposed to the evils of an idle life." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning bringing reproach upon the Church, "If housekeepers do not mind their business, but are tattlers, they give occasion to the adversaries of Christianity to reproach the Christian name."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…