FRIDAY, JUNE 30
1 Corinthians 7:39-40
Romans 7:2-3

"But she is happier if
she so abide…"

A WORD TO THE WIDOWS

Lastly, Paul addressed the issues involving the widows. Widows in those days in the Roman society were generally not well looked upon. Some might not be able to find work, and might experience loneliness and desolation. Moreover, the fact that they were widows implied that they had been married and might desire to have a life partner again. If that was the case, can the widow re-marry?

Paul explained that should the widow desire to be married again, she was permitted to do so as she was no longer bound to her deceased husband. With the death of her husband, the marriage covenant was broken. "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man." (Rom 7:2-3). The only requirement was that she must not marry an unbeliever. This command was especially important for widows who might, out of desperation, turn to unbelievers who would then cause the widows to turn away from her faith. "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" (1 Tim 5:11-13).

Paul urged widows to consider remaining in the state of singlehood. A person who is not married will be less distracted, and is therefore "more exempt from earthly cares" (Calvin).

THOUGHT: The church must take care of her widows (1 Tim 5:3).
PRAYER: Lord, help me to always walk in Thy will.