Bulletin Articles
“SHE WHO IS REALLY A WIDOW” (Part 1)
“SHE WHO IS REALLY A WIDOW” (Part 1)
I have long believed that there is “more than meets the eye” with the text of 1 Timothy 5:3-16. Some aspects of these instructions have always troubled me. For instance, WHY would a widow have to be 60 years old (v.9) in order to receive benevolent assistance? And WHY would Paul express “condemnation” for “younger widows” who remarry (v.11-12), and then turn right around and COMMAND them to marry (v.14)? Clearly, there is a little more going on here than a simple benevolent situation. Let us carefully consider some thoughts which are implied by this text, and try to understand the purpose of Paul’s instructions. I do not ask that you blindly accept what I say, but only that you carefully consider it.
The first point I want to make is that “she who is really a widow” (NKJV), or “a widow indeed” (KJV), was supported at the expense of the local church (v.3,16). The word, “honor” (v.3), includes the idea of financial support. To confirm this, compare the phrase, “double honor” (v.17), which included financial support for elders (cf. v.18). Even Jesus used the term “honor” to describe the financial support that children would give to their parents (Mt.15:4-6). Further, the fact that a “widow indeed” was supported by the local church is clearly stated in 1 Timothy 5:16. Based upon these facts, we can also conclude that this text “necessarily implies” a “church treasury” to expedite the command to support these widows. In addition to the implication of a church treasury, a legitimate (Scriptural) USE of the “church treasury” is clearly revealed!
The next thing I want to note is that the “widow indeed” was supported on a PERMANENT basis. I draw this conclusion based on two thoughts: First that these widows were “taken into the number,” or “enrolled,” for assistance (v.9). This is unlikely for “one time assistance,” but makes perfect sense if it’s a more permanent situation. Second, these widows had no other means of support (v.3-5). If she had family, they would be her primary source of support (v.4). But, since she had no “children or grandchildren” (v.4), and was “left alone” (v.5), the local church had an obligation to step in and help her.
Finally, I want you to note that the “widow indeed” had made a “pledge” of some kind (v.12). The word translated “faith” in verse 12, is translated “pledge” in several versions (cf. ASV, NAS, RSV, NIV, etc.). Further, W.E. Vine says that the Greek word used here (pistis) means “a pledge of fidelity” in this particular context. This helps me to understand a problem with this text that I had noted earlier: Why would Paul express “condemnation” for “younger widows” who remarry (v.11-12), and then turn around and COMMAND them to marry (v.14)? The answer is that it was not wrong for a widow to remarry, per se (cf. 1Cor.7:39); but it WAS wrong for her to “pledge” to REMAIN A WIDOW, then later renounce it (1Tm.5:11-12). This explains why Paul expressed “condemnation” for their “desire to marry.”
Now, let’s draw some conclusions from the information we have gleaned from this text. Since the “widow indeed” had made a “pledge” to REMAIN A WIDOW (v.11-12), we should ask ourselves “why” she would make such a pledge. I believe that the purpose for making such a pledge was that she might devote herself completely to the Lord’s work. As proof, consider that the “widow indeed...continues in supplications and prayers night and day” (v.5). To illustrate this, consider “Anna...a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Lk.2:36-38). Compare also the virgins of 1 Corinthians 7:34-35, who were advised to REMAIN SINGLE, so that they “may serve the Lord without distraction.” Therefore, I believe 1 Timothy 5:3-16 clearly implies that a “widow indeed” served the local church in some capacity (cp. Rm.16:1-2). Their service would be given in exchange for permanent support. In fact, the Bible clearly says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2Th.3:10). Able-bodied widows were not to become permanent “bums,” living off the church dole (cf. 1Tm.5:13)! If they were going to be assisted on a permanent basis, then they were expected to provide some service in exchange for that assistance! With this background information established, we shall make some applications in next week’s article.
--Lanny Smith
