¹¹But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, ¹²thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. ¹³At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. ¹⁴Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; ¹⁵for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. ¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

Some might assert that Paul stereotypes young widows with a false profile, as though he were an old, entitled male who looked down his nose at women. The fact that he spends so much time on the care of true widows speaks highly of his character (which in fact lines up with God’s heart). We must recognize that, as an inspired writer, he is thinking pragmatically, as he does at other times. For example, he appeals to the natural way of things when he writes, “Judge for yourselves; is it proper . . . ?” (1 Cor. 11:13–15). We may argue from our twenty-first century perspective against such arguments, but Scripture is quite comfortable making such statements. One might say to those reading this, “If the shoe fits, wear it.”

Women who become widows while young still have much life ahead of them and much learning in the Christian way of life. Paul addresses the negative and then the positive. Of course, remarriage may not be an option for some young widows. Paul does not take the space to address every situation possible (if the Scripture did that for every teaching, there would not be a library large enough to house everything written). God expects us to wisely apply lessons like this to other related situations. That is why He gave the spiritual gifts of teaching and exhortation, to help us understand and apply the Word of God to all areas of our lives.

Basically, to the young widow, the encouragement is to get back into the social network, that is, get married. This, of course, recognizes the economic importance of marriage and family. But it speaks more broadly of the importance to the body of believers. Satan would like to disrupt the church through failure in this area of unattached women, unsupported with no restraint on their behaviors. They can be either a blessing to the church or a hindrance. But they must be above reproach (vs. 14), just as the elders and older widows are mandated to be.

Lord, my desire is to live above reproach so that Satan would not get a foothold.