1 Timothy 5:12

“Thus incurring condemnation”: Which is explained in the next phrase.

1 Timothy 5:12 “Because they have set aside their previous pledge”: By enrolling the young widow into. place. permanent support the church would be really helping her to lose her soul. The term “set aside” is often used of disregarding or breaking an oath,. treaty, or. promise.

Points to Note

1. What is the “previous pledge”? Is it. pledge not to remarry (if she was put on the list, of. widow indeed)? Or, is this the very first promise she made to God, that is the promise she made to Him when she became. Christian?

2. Is she condemned for marrying another Christian (which is encouraged: 1 Timothy 5:14), or is she condemned because she ends up marrying someone outside the faith? (1 Corinthians 7:39).

3. It seems to me that the condemnation in the above passage and the disregard to Christ is that to enroll such. young woman as. widow indeed would end up forcing her in time to break. certain commitment to Christ. For the widow indeed is pictured as completely preoccupied with the things of God (1 Timothy 5:5). So the church would be allowing. woman to make. certain commitment to Christ that she would not keep, thus in. sense breaking. type of vow and incurring condemnation. It would appear that the widow indeed was. woman prepared to never remarry and live the rest of her days exclusively for Christ.