Bible Study Seattle

“But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.”  1 Timothy 5:11

This is an interesting passage, showing that Paul may not always be 100% in God’s will.  It’s understandable to keep young widows off the welfare list since they plan to remarry, and thus have a means of support.  But the desire to marry incurring condemnation?  Paul is implying that true Christians shouldn’t want to marry because it will take away from their devotion to Christ.  But Jesus never said anything against marriage, although it’s true that trying to keep a spouse happy may take away energy that could be devoted to something else.  It’s also possible that he feared the Lord would return soon, and he didn’t want any to become sidetracked by marriage.