ACC ~ 1 Timothy 5 v11

APOSTOLIC CONDEMNATION. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul himself has condemned women who chose widowhood but then do not desire to abide by their decision. ON VIRGINITY 36.2.

PROMISE KEEPING. CHRYSOSTOM: Why then, you ask, did Paul forbid young women to remain as widows even if they were willing? … Do you not see that it is not those who wish to keep their widowhood but rather those who prefer to marry after being widowed whom he forbids to remain as widows and to be appointed to that holy company? And he does so very wisely. For if you should intend to engage in second marriages, he says, do not profess widowhood. For breaking a promise is much worse than not promising at all. AGAINST REMARRIAGE 3.

YOUNG WIDOWS MAY MARRY. AUGUSTINE: When the apostle says elsewhere, “I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households,” he recommends the good of marriage with wisdom and apostolic authority. He does not impose the duty of bearing children. It is not to be treated as it were a law to be observed, at least in the case of those who have chosen the state of continence. Finally, he makes it clear why he has said this, by adding, “Give the adversary no occasion for abusing us. For already some have turned aside after Satan.” By these words he wishes us to understand that for the young widows whom he thought it fitting to be married, continence would have been better than marriage, but that it was better for them to marry than to turn aside after Satan, that is, by looking back to former things after having chosen the excellent state of chastity in virginity or widowhood, to abandon it and to perish. THE EXCELLENCE OF WIDOWHOOD 8.11.

1 Tim