Fathers

1 Timothy 5

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Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 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. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. 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. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 5:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Thus he commands not only men, but women also, to work. For idleness is the teacher of every sin. And not only are they exposed to this condemnation, but to other sins. If therefore it is unbecoming for a married woman "to go from house to house," much more is it for a virgin. What then happens, when the care for the husband is withdrawn, and the care to please God does not constrain them? They naturally become idlers, tattlers, and busybodies. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 15 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Besides the already mentioned condemnation for sins, they are guilty of yet another thing, namely that they learn to be idle, going about from house to house. And idleness teaches every evil. Consequently, idleness is unbecoming not only for men, but also for women. Rightly so. For, going from house to house, they do nothing else but carry gossip from one woman to another, from this one to that one, and, prying into everything, they inevitably fall into curiosity, and speaking to everyone about everything, they fall into idle talk.

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

And also they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; not only idle, but also gossips and chatterers, speaking things they ought not. — [OECUMENIUS] And also they learn to be idle. How do the idle women learn? Having the men who are brought in to assist them provide what is necessary for their old age, they are negligent about their tasks, but they take care to appear pleasing to the men. [end of the excerpt by Oecumenius A f.172v; B f.208r; G f.296r] — not only idle, but also gossips. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Paul speaks of idle persons and busybodies, whether virgins or widows, such as go from house to house calling on married women. They display an unblushing effrontery greater than that of a stage parasite. Cast them from you as you would the plague. For "evil communications corrupt good manners," and women like these care for nothing but their lowest appetites. …

Letters 22.29 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

From the second result, namely, that they do not labor, there flow three evils: the first evil is idleness: idleness has taught much evil (Sir 33:29); this was the sin of Sodom, your sister, fullness of bread, and abundance, and her idleness (Ezek 16:49); he who pursues idleness is very foolish (Prov 12:11). From idleness flow three evils: a woman's heart is not as firm as a man's; hence it turns to many things. Therefore, if it is not channeled by work it flies off in all directions. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗