Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.
Summary: This passage, at first glance, sounds like an offhand comment about bad behavior. Digging deeper, we find an existential threat beneath the surface.
Our last meditation on 1 Timothy 12, “Serious Stuff,” emphasized the spiritual risk of turning our back on Jesus. In this verse, Paul talks about something that seems insignificant by comparison. In verse fourteen, he counsels young widows to do things that “give the enemy no opportunity for slander.” Finally, in verse fifteen, he notes that some have turned to follow Satan.
There is a trajectory in Paul’s words. It goes something like this:
1. A “young widow” is left alone without a husband to support her.
2. She asks the church to provide her with the money she needs.
3. If the church doesn’t follow Paul’s age limit, they might agree to support her.
4. Freed from worry over money, the widow neglects her devotion to Jesus and turns to pastimes that interest her.
5. These pastimes lead to sinful behavior — the outward expression of her inward lack of devotion to Christ.
6. In some cases, some women turn away to follow Satan.
Let’s ask ourselves some questions.
First, does this fit our own personal experience? Have you ever known someone who, when in desperate need, makes all kinds of promises, and then, when the need is met, discovers they really don’t “need” to keep those promises?
Second, if we know people who have done the very things Paul is warning about, is it such a stretch of the imagination to think that some people might go so far as to follow Satan instead of Jesus?
If you have answered “Yes” to these two questions, then Paul’s warning of falling under judgment (v 12) makes complete sense.
Interestingly, Paul’s concern about people being “idlers” and “busybodies” might not be limited to the widows we have been discussing.
What happens when idlers and busybodies stir up people in the congregation? Do they serve the Kingdom of God, or are they undermining it?
Timothy is responsible for guiding the Ephesian church in Paul’s absence. Can he afford to have people stirring up trouble in the congregation?
In his letter to Titus, Paul talks about the need to “rebuke” the Cretans “sharply” (Titus 1:10-16). The goal of such rebuke is “so that they will be sound in the faith” (v 13).
Could it be that the reason for Paul’s “Widow’s List” is also about keeping the congregation “sound in the faith?”
Application: Keeping faith with Jesus requires diligence.
Food for Thought: In Acts 20:29, Paul warns the Ephesians that “savage wolves” will be after the flock. Compare a wayward widow to a savage wolf.
The savage wolves Paul speaks about in Acts 20:29 and the wayward widow are similar in that both bring distraction, division, and destruction to the Body of Christ.
Distraction: The focus becomes navigating internal conflict and interpersonal conflict, rather than growing in grace and knowledge and advancing God’s Kingdom. Gossip, slander, and speaking in falsehood takes our focus away from love and life, and we focus on ourselves.
Proverbs 26:20
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
Division: Through words designed for self-edification and self-gratification, not spoken in love or to build up the Church, or build up others. Christ’s efficacy through us as His Body is realized in our unity with Him.
Proverbs 16:28
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
Destruction: Destroying relationships, trust, and growth in the Body. As we the Word tells us time and time again “we reap what we sow.” If we love life we sow life. If we love destruction, love the “power” behind it, we will reap destruction.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Lastly, it demonstrates the “double-mindedness” of one who claims Christ as their Lord and Savior, yet refuses to allow Christ to transform them and put to death their sinful nature.
James 3:8-10
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Thank you, Chris.
Very well thought out and sourced!
Well said CH.
I agree that the similarity is in the results. Both groups end up causing distraction and division. The difference may be in motives. A savage wolf wants to devour the flock while the “wayward widow” appears to be bored and seeking selfish interests. She may not be intending to do the damage the wolf desires to do – but both lead to destruction.
The wolf is like the thief: John 10: 10a: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
This is another reason to keep our eyes and attentions on Jesus and not the distraction.
John 10: 10b – 11: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Thanks, Rich!
Your point about being attentive to Jesus is the key. So important! 🙂