Category: 1 Timothy

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1 Timothy 5:12 – Serious Stuff

A warning sign says "DANGER AHEAD" (Grok)

Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 

Summary: This passage is an extremely blunt warning against turning our back on the Lord. 

One of the things that I find interesting about the Bible is not so much what it says, but what is not said. For example, an Old Testament prophet might be given a prophecy, but we, the readers, are not told what it is. Then later, when the prophet delivers the message, we hear the rest of the story (1 Kings 14:1-20). 

In this letter to Timothy, Paul, an Apostle, is writing to his “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). You might think of Timothy as a kind of Junior Apostle. Because he had worked so closely with Paul for so many years, they had developed a common understanding of many topics. 

When Paul writes, “Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge,” we suspect that Timothy clearly understands what he means. For our part, we have to look to the rest of Scripture to understand God’s message here. 

First of all, what does Paul mean by “their first pledge?”

Let’s return to 1 Timothy 5:9-10:

“No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”

This list describes the characteristics of a woman who has pledged themselves to be a servant of the Living God.* Obviously, the text doesn’t spell that out for us, but the description is clearly of a person devoted to the Lord. This devotion is their “first pledge.” They have promised themselves to Jesus Christ exclusively. 

In the following verses, Paul describes women whose priority is their own pleasure. These are not people fully devoted to the Lord or his Church. 

So what does it mean to “bring judgment on themselves”? 

It is one thing to be a new believer who still struggles with their sinful nature. It is another to be a devoted servant of the Lord and turn away to follow the desires of the flesh. 

The word Paul used in Greek is “kríma.” It does not mean “to make a judgment,” instead, it describes a judgment that has already been made, and the result is condemnation and damnation.†

This is serious stuff. 

Application: Don’t play games with God.  

Food for Thought: How does Paul’s statement in this passage fit with your understanding of God’s Grace, Mercy, and his calling for us to be part of his “vine”? (See John 15:5-6)

*See Exodus 20:3-17, Micah 6:8, Matt 22:39, John 13:13-17, and Matthew 25:35-36.

†”G2917 – krima – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 21 Jun, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2917/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

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1 Timothy 5:11b – A Beautiful Thing

Picture of flowers (Pixabay)

For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 

Summary: Digging into this passage reveals the kindness behind Paul’s age restriction on the “Widow’s List.”  

This is an interesting passage because Paul begins to explain the reasoning behind the “over sixty” age limit we have discussed already. 

The NIV translation, shown above, talks about the tension between a younger widow’s “sensual desires” and their “dedication to Christ.” What is interesting about this passage is how it is rendered in other translations and in the Greek. 

For example: 

“But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry…” (1 Timothy 5:11, World English Bible)

Merriam-Webster defines the word “wanton” as:*

1: showing no thought or care for the rights, feelings, or safety of others
2: not limited or controlled
3 (old-fashioned, of a woman)  : having sex with many men

This closely mirrors the original Greek word, “katastrēniáō.”†

Paul’s words offer a more detailed explanation of what he is describing as a reason for the “Widow’s List.” 

Looking back at verses nine and ten, we see a description of someone who is both devoted to Christ and dedicated to serving the Body of Christ. 

In the coming verses, Paul talks about the consequences of wantonness. Implied, but less clear depending on the translation you read, is the impact on a person’s relationship with Christ. 

What I hear Paul saying is that the church’s obligation to support a widow is related to the widow’s devotion to Christ. Someone who is over sixty and is fully devoted to Christ and the church is someone worthy of the church’s support. In effect, they become “married” to Christ through their relationship with the church body. 

It is a beautiful thing when a person’s life brings them to this level of devotion to Jesus! Imagine how Jesus feels toward this person. Now imagine how Jesus would feel if someone claimed to be devoted and then “cheated” on him by giving their affections to someone else. 

Application: Jesus loves us for who we are, but there is danger in pretending to be more than we are.   

Food for Thought: In light of this passage, is the “Widow’s List” age limit a restriction or a protection? Explain. 

*“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/wanton. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

†”G2691 – katastrēniaō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 19 Jun, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2691/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

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1 Timothy 5:9-10 – Brass Tacks

Picture of brass tacks (Grok)

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Summary: This is a long passage, but worth looking at as a whole. In it, Paul lays out very specific requirements for a widow to qualify for support from the church.   

In this passage, Paul gets down to what used to be called “the brass tacks.” 

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1 Timothy 5:5 – Real Need

Older women in a lineup. (Grok)

The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

Summary: Paul is giving instructions to Timothy regarding a special case of giving — making a commitment to support someone for the rest of their life.   

In this passage, Paul gives us three tests to be used in determining who is “really in need.” Remember, we are not talking about a one-time handout. A ‘widow in need’ needs help for the rest of her life. That is a big commitment and one worthy of caution before making it. 

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1 Timothy 5:4 – True Religion

An elderly mother is cared for by her daughter (Grok)

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 

Summary: True religion begins at home.   

Caring for family is one of the great blessings of life. It is also one of the great challenges! Interestingly, putting our religion into practice is a very similar challenge. 

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