King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 5:14 Mean?

1 Timothy 5:14 in the King James Version says “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to sp...” — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. to speak: Gr. for their railing”

1 Timothy 5:14 · KJV

Context

12

Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13

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.

14

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. to speak: Gr. for their railing

15

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will therefore that the younger women marry (Βούλομαι οὖν νεωτέρας γαμεῖν, Boulomai oun neōteras gamein)—'I desire therefore that younger widows remarry.' Boulomai expresses apostolic will/preference. Bear children (τεκνογονεῖν, teknogonein)—have children. Guide the house (οἰκοδεσποτεῖν, oikodespotein)—manage the household, be homemaker.

Give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully (μηδεμίαν ἀφορμὴν διδόναι τῷ ἀντικειμένῳ λοιδορίας χάριν, mēdemian aphormēn didonai tō antikeimen­ō loidorias charin)—'give no opportunity to the opponent for slander.' Antikeimenos (the adversary) could mean Satan or human opponents of Christianity. Loidoria is reviling, abuse, slander.

Paul's solution for younger widows: remarriage, childbearing, household management. This provides purpose, prevents idleness, and protects the church's reputation. Critics could slander Christians if young widows lived aimlessly on church support. Better they embrace productive roles that demonstrate gospel transformation of domestic life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Critics of Christianity claimed it disrupted family and social order. If young Christian widows refused remarriage and lived idly on church funds, this would confirm accusations that Christianity undermined Roman family values. Paul insists younger widows remarry and manage households—demonstrating Christianity strengthens rather than destroys domestic life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's counsel for younger widows to remarry balance with affirmation of singleness elsewhere (1 Corinthians 7)?
  2. Why does household management and childbearing protect against giving adversaries grounds for criticism?
  3. How can churches honor both marriage/family and celibate devotion to ministry as valid callings?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
βούλομαι1 of 13

“I will”

G1014

to "will," i.e., (reflexively) be willing

οὖν2 of 13

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

νεωτέρας3 of 13

“that the younger women”

G3501

"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate

γαμεῖν4 of 13

“marry”

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

τεκνογονεῖν5 of 13

“bear children”

G5041

to be a child-bearer, i.e., parent (mother)

οἰκοδεσποτεῖν6 of 13

“guide the house”

G3616

to be the head of (i.e., rule) a family

μηδεμίαν7 of 13

“none”

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

ἀφορμὴν8 of 13

“occasion”

G874

a starting-point, i.e., (figuratively) an opportunity

διδόναι9 of 13

“give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τῷ10 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀντικειμένῳ11 of 13

“to the adversary”

G480

to lie opposite, i.e., be adverse (figuratively, repugnant) to

λοιδορίας12 of 13

“speak reproachfully”

G3059

slander or vituperation

χάριν·13 of 13

“to”

G5484

through favor of, i.e., on account of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 5:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Titus 2:51 Timothy 6:1Titus 2:81 Corinthians 7:8-9Proverbs 31:27-29Proverbs 14:1

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