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A careful consideration of this passage leads one to think that a special set of widows
is referred to here, not destitute widows generally, for it is inconceivable that a destitute
woman would have to reach the age of 60 before she became eligible for practical help
from the church.
It would appear that special duties in the local church were reserved for some of the
old widows receiving aid, official recognition of this being given by being placed on a
list. Apart from the age-restriction, it was necessary that she was `the wife of one man',
which can only mean she had not re-married after her husband's death (on this point
compare a similar condition for an overseer of the assembly, 3: 2, 12). Furthermore she
must be well reported for her conduct in the home and outside.
Such a person would be a valuable aid in entertaining visiting Christians, looking after
orphans and attending to many practical details, such as feet-washing which reminds one
of the Lord's own humble action (John 13: 1-7).
All these points were not so likely to be in evidence with a younger person who was
not so experienced or mature. They might commence well and then change their minds
and want to give up the work and to be re-married.
The N.I.V. gives the sense well:
"As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual
desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring
judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 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 gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I
counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give
the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow
Satan" (I Tim. 5: 11-15).
One thing is clear, that any service begun for the Lord was to be regarded as a serious
thing with first priority. Those widows who had commenced such work and then given it
up had `waxed wanton against Christ' (verse 11). And we should remember today that
service for the Lord is not something for us to take up and drop when we feel like it.
There is a solemn as well as a joyful aspect to Christian service, knowing that one day
this, together with all our works, is coming under His searching scrutiny.
It is evident that Paul was legislating for conditions as he knew them and was using
heavenly wisdom in the directions he gave to Timothy, so that problems might be
avoided and the witness go on unhindered. If anyone has difficulty with the fact that
during the Acts period, in I Corinthians, Paul recommended the unmarried to remain as
they were, we would remind the reader that at that time `the end of all things was at
hand', with the possibility of the Lord's Second Coming being very near, waiting upon
the repentance of Israel (Acts 3: 19-26; 5: 30, 31). This chosen nation was laid aside in
unbelief at the end of the Acts, for they did not repent and that aspect of the earthly
kingdom was postponed, the revelation of the dispensation of the Mystery or Secret,
taking its place (Eph. 3: 1-11) for the age in which we are now living.