I will therefore that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil.

“But if anyone dares to call marriage fornication, he again falls into blasphemy against the law and the Lord. For as covetousness is called fornication because it is opposed to contentment with what one possesses, and as idolatry is an abandonment of the one God to embrace many gods, so fornication is apostasy from single marriage to several. For, as we have remarked, the apostle uses the words fornication and adultery in three senses. On this matter the prophet says: "You were sold to your sins." And again: "You were defiled in a foreign land." Here he regards as defilement an association which is bound up with a strange body and not with that which in marriage is bestowed for the purpose of procreation. That is why the apostle also says: "I wish then that the younger women marry, bear children, look after their houses, and give the adversary no occasion for abuse; for some have already turned aside after Satan." And indeed he entirely approves of the man who is husband of one wife, whether he be presbyter, deacon, or layman, if he conducts his marriage unblameably. "For he shall be saved by child-bearing."”

“"But again, writing to Timotheus, he 'wills the very young (women) to marry, bear children, act the housewife.'" He is (here) directing (his speech) to such as he denotes above-"very young widows," who, after being, "apprehended" in widowhood, and (subsequently) wooed for some length of time, after they have had Christ in their affections, "wish to marry, having judgment, because they have rescinded the first faith,"-that (faith), to wit, by which they were "found" in widowhood, and, after professing it, do not persevere.”

“It is likely that many widows at that time had lived more recklessly and arrogantly after the death of their husbands, as if freed from some constraining tyranny of their husbands over them; and so some earn a bad reputation for themselves because of their audacity. Drawing them away from this ruinous freedom, Paul leads them back to their former yoke. He says that if a widow intends to secretly cheapen and dishonor herself, it is much better to marry and "give our enemies no occasion to speak ill of us." Thus, because he did not want to furnish opportunities for rebuke or want the widow to live the wanton life of a harlot, he permitted second marriages.”

“Above he showed that widows are to be supported by the Church; here he shows what sort are to be supported. And first he shows what sort is to be chosen, second what sort is to be avoided, at the place "younger women." Concerning the first he does three things: first he shows that she is to be chosen on the basis of age; second, on the basis of chastity; third, on the basis of the practice of good works. By age, since "sixty years." But concerning which choosing is he treating? To this it can be answered in two ways. In one way, that he speaks of the choosing by which one is chosen to preside over the governance of the other widows who were being supported by the Church, so that such an elder woman should be set over them, so that no one might suspect anything of her continence. Numbers 4:3: "from thirty years and upward, even unto fifty years," etc. But it seems to the contrary, because the Church does the opposite, since younger women become abbesses. I respond: it must be said that it is disordered that girls too young should become abbesses, but nevertheless the Church's diligence is not as great in those who are enclosed as in those who are free. In another way, that he speaks of the choosing by which one is chosen for this, that she be supported by the stipends of the Church, and such a one is to be chosen not less than sixty years, because young women can labor with their hands, just as the apostle also, who although he could live from the Gospel, nevertheless labored; but old women rest. From chastity also a widow is to be chosen; therefore he says "who was the wife of one man." For just as it is required in a bishop that he be the husband of one wife, so in an old woman, that she be the wife of one husband. The Gloss: he says this on account of the aforesaid sacrament. This Gloss is a magisterial opinion and is of little worth. For the reason does not seem to be taken from any sacrament, since women do not receive any sacraments to be administered. But he says this on account of firmness, namely that they might have a continuous resolve of preserving widowhood. But Jerome, in the letter to Geruntia, elsewhere to Esicia, assigns another reason, namely that among the gentiles the custom was that in the sacred rites of the gods no woman presided who had had two husbands. And therefore the apostle wished that those who were being nourished by the sustenance of the Church should be no less chaste. Judith 15:11: "because you have loved chastity, and after your husband have not known another," etc. Luke 2:36: "she lived seven years with her husband from her virginity." And therefore it is, as it were, a praiseworthy sign of chastity, that she was the wife of one man. Then, when he says "in good works," etc., he shows that a widow is to be chosen on the basis of the practice of good works, and first in general; second in particular, at the place "if she has brought up children"; third he gives the same to be understood concerning all good works, at the place "if every work." As to the first he says "in good works." Proverbs, last chapter, 31: "let her works praise her in the gates." And he says "having testimony." John 5:36: "the works which the Father has given me to perform, these works which I do, bear testimony concerning me." For exterior works show interior faith. James 2:18: "show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith from works." But what works? First toward her own, second toward others. Toward her own he says "if she has brought up children," namely in the fear of God and in chastity. Ecclesiasticus 7:25: "do you have sons? Instruct them." As to others, he touches on three works of piety. First, toward mercy, because women having a soft heart are naturally merciful. First, therefore, he teaches hospitality, at the place "if she has received by hospitality." Romans 12:13: "pursuing hospitality." Second, together with this he sets down humility, saying "if she has washed the feet of the saints"; for thus the saints are to be received and treated honorably. Luke 10:40: "but Martha was busy about much serving." Thus Christ, John 13:14: "if therefore I, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." The Gloss of Augustine on John: brothers do this to one another even in the visible work itself, and what they do not do with the hand, they do not do with the heart. But it is much better that it be done also with the hands, and let not the Christian disdain to do what Christ did. For he who bows down to the feet of his brother, in him humility is stirred up in the heart, or if it was already present, the effect of humility is confirmed. Third, fortitude and constancy, namely that she assist those in tribulation; hence he says "if she has ministered to those suffering tribulation." Hebrews 10:34: "you had compassion on those in bonds." Then, when he says "if every work," he concludes in what things she ought to be good, saying "if she has followed every good work," that is, has pursued it. Galatians 6:10: "while we have time, let us work good toward all." Then, when he says "younger women," etc., he shows which are to be avoided. And first he shows this; second he assigns the reason, at the place "for when they have grown wanton." He says therefore: let widows of such an age be chosen, but "avoid younger widows," that is, do not receive them indiscriminately for support in the Church, especially the disreputable and the dissolute. Or, avoid them as to companionship and familiarity. Ecclesiasticus 42:14: "better is the iniquity of a man," that is, safer to dwell with, "than a woman doing good"; hence there it is added: "and a woman bringing shame unto reproach." The first exposition is the literal one. Then, when he says "for when they have grown wanton," etc., a twofold reason is assigned from the twofold danger which threatens. Concerning the first he does two things: first he sets forth the first, second he responds to a question, at the place "having damnation." For if young women are taken up for the support of the Church, two things follow, namely that they have sufficiency, and that they are not compelled to work with their hands. But from each a danger threatens. From the first, the danger of chastity; hence he says "for when they have grown wanton." Luxuria is sometimes taken for the superfluity of the venereal act, and thus it is one of the seven capital vices; but sometimes it is taken for every superfluity of bodily things, and thus it is taken here — as if he were to say: when they have had superabundance "in Christ," that is, through the support of Christ, then they wish to marry. Exodus 32:6: "the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Valerius says that from Ceres, that is, food, and father Liber, the way is near to Venus. Hosea 4:10: "they will eat, and will not be satisfied; they have fornicated, and have not ceased," etc. Then, when he says "having," etc., he responds to a tacit question. For someone could say: what evil indeed is it if they marry? For you yourself say, 1 Corinthians 7:28: "a woman does not sin if she marries." Therefore he says: in this they have damnation, because "their first faith," etc., namely of chastity, which they had vowed. For otherwise they would not have been taken up for maintenance. Hence Augustine says here, that from the resolve alone one incurs damnation. This is true if it be toward a determinate purpose and with consent. Ecclesiasticus 5:3: "if you have vowed anything to God, do not delay to pay it." Luke 9:6: "no one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." From the second, namely that they do not labor, three evils follow. The first evil is idleness. Ecclesiasticus 33:29: "idleness has taught much malice." Ezekiel 16:49: "this was the iniquity of Sodom your sister: pride, fullness of bread, and abundance, and idleness." Proverbs 12:11: "he who pursues idleness is most foolish." From idleness these evils follow. The heart of a woman is not firm as that of a man, and on account of this it is moved toward diverse things. If therefore she is not bound to work, she must needs be carried toward diverse things. And therefore it is a danger that women be idle; hence the ancients kept them occupied. Likewise they become unstable as to place, because they learn to go about the houses. Proverbs 7:12: "now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners." Jeremiah 14:10: "she has loved to move her feet, and has not rested, and has not pleased the Lord." As to words he says "talkative." For since they are not occupied, they give themselves much to trifles. Proverbs 7:10: "garrulous, wandering, impatient of rest." As to the heart, "curious," because since they are not occupied in their own affairs, they meddle in others', and therefore they speak what is not fitting, because they pass judgment on the deeds of all. Ecclesiasticus 9:11: "her conversation burns like fire." Then, when he says "I wish therefore," etc., he shows to what work they are to be applied, namely that they marry. And first he sets forth the teaching, second he assigns the reason, at the place "for already." He says therefore "I wish the younger," namely widows, "to marry." Against this, 1 Corinthians 7:8: "it is good for them if they remain so"; therefore he ought rather to say: I wish them to remain continent. I respond: Jerome says that that saying, 1 Corinthians 7:7, he willed from his principal intention, but each one has his own gift from God. And therefore he adds: "it is better to marry than to burn." And therefore it must be seen in what case he here speaks — namely in this, lest they make void their first faith — and therefore what he says here, "I wish," is understood not from his principal intention. "To bear children," and not to kill them secretly through abortion. Above, 2:15: "but she shall be saved through the bearing of children, if she shall have continued in faith." "To be mothers of households," namely that they be occupied, and not run about the houses as talkative women. And also this I wish, "that they give no occasion to the adversary," that is, either to the Devil, or to the gentile, "for reviling's sake," that is, that he may be able to revile the Churches of God. In which he thus concludes the life of widows, that they should live in such a way that in nothing do they provoke others to wantonness. 1 Peter 2:15: "if it is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." And this is his reason: that certain women, having vowed chastity, have turned back, making void their vow. And such go after Satan, through imitation, because he apostatized from the fellowship of the Angels. Then, when he says "if any," he shows which widows are to be supported by private persons; and first he sets forth the teaching, second the reason, at the place "that it be not burdened." He says therefore that she who is truly a widow should hope in God, but now, that if any has brothers or kin, she should be supported by them. And therefore he says "if any believer," etc., because this is a work of piety. And this, "that the Church be not burdened," etc. And this was necessary, because at that time the Church did not have possessions, but now it has possessions set apart for this. 1 Thessalonians 2:9: "working night and day, that we might not burden any of you."”

“I will therefore that the younger women marry,.... Or "the younger" widows rather; and so some copies read; for this is not the apostle's advice to young women in general, though it will suit with them, but with younger widows in particular, of whom he is speaking: bear children; and bring them forth, and feed, and nourish them, and bring them up in a religious way: guide the house; manage domestic affairs, direct, order, or do what is proper to be done for the good of the family; which is much more commendable than to throw themselves upon the church, and live an idle and wanton life, and after that marry: and so give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully; that is, either that Satan, the grand adversary of the saints, might have no opportunity to reproach them, and cast in their teeth their unbecoming walk, or accuse them before the throne; or that any enemy of the Christian religion might have no room nor reason to speak evilly of Christ, his Gospel, truths, and ordinances, on account of the disorderly conversation of any that profess his name; or that the , the great opposer of Christ, the man of sin, and son of perdition, even antichrist, Th2 2:4, might have no handle from hence to speak reproachfully of marriage, and forbid it, under a pretence of sanctity, as Ti1 4:3.”

“I will therefore that the younger women marry - As the preceding discourse has been about the younger widows, and this is an inference from it; it is most evident that by the younger women the apostle means the young widows. These he considers unfit for the office of the female diaconate, and therefore wills them to marry, educate children, and give themselves wholly up to domestic affairs. Here the apostle, so far from forbidding second marriages, positively enjoins or at least recommends them. And what man of sense could have done otherwise in the cases he mentions? It is no sin in any case to marry, bear children, and take care of a family; but it is a sin in every case to be idle persons, gadders about, tattlers, busybodies, sifting out and detailing family secrets, etc., etc. The good sentiment, put by an able poet and pious divine into the mouths of little children, cannot be ill applied to multitudes of women, mothers, and grandmothers: - "See how the little busy bee Improves each shining hour, And gathers honey all the day From every opening flower! In works of labor or of skill, We should be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief, still, For idle hands to do." Dr. Watts. The adversary - Any person, whether Jew or Gentile, who might be watching for an occasion to reproach, through the misconduct of its professors, the cause of Christianity.”

“The younger [5] (widows) should marry. They who understand this of a command or exhortation to all widows to marry, make St. Paul contradict himself, and the advice he gave to widows 1 Corinthians vii. where he says, (ver. 40.) She (the widow) will be more happy if she so remain according to my counsel; and when it is there said, I would have all to be as myself. [ See the notes on those places. ] He can therefore only mean such young widows, of whom he is speaking, that are like to do worse. Thus it is expounded by St. Jerome to Sabina:[6] “Let her rather take a husband than the devil.” And in another epistle, to Ageruchia: “It is better to take a second husband than many adulterers.” St. Chrysostom[7] on this verse: I will, or would have such to marry, because they themselves will do it. See also St. Augustine,[8] de Bono viduitatis, chap. viii. (Witham)”

“younger women--rather, as ellipsis ought to be supplied, "the younger widows," namely younger widows in general, as distinguished from the older widows taken on the roll of presbyteresses (Ti1 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (Ti1 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with Co1 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare Co1 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and the other evils noted in Ti1 5:11-13. Of course, where there was no tendency to these evils, marriage again would not be so requisite; Paul speaks of what is generally desirable, and supposing there should be danger of such evils, as was likely. "He does not impose a law, but points out a remedy, to younger widows" [CHRYSOSTOM]. bear children-- (Ti1 2:15); thus gaining one of the qualifications (Ti1 5:10) for being afterwards a presbyteress widow, should Providence so ordain it. guide--Greek, "rule the house" in the woman's due place; not usurping authority over the man (Ti1 2:12). give none occasion--literally, "starting-point": handle of reproach through the loose conduct of nominal Christians. the adversary--of Christianity, Jew or Gentile. Phi 1:28; Tit 2:8, "He that is of the contrary part." Not Satan, who is introduced in a different relation (Ti1 5:15). to speak reproachfully--literally, "for the sake of reproach" (Ti1 3:7; Ti1 6:1; Tit 2:5, Tit 2:10). If the handle were given, the adversary would use it for the sake of reproach. The adversary is eager to exaggerate the faults of a few, and to lay the blame on the whole Church and its doctrines [BENGEL].”