1 Timothy– Chapter Five VIII

by Ed Urzi

“But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6).

The type of widow mentioned here in 1 Timothy 5:6 serves as a contrast to the godly widow described earlier in 1 Timothy 5:5. Unlike the widow in our first example, this second type of widow is self-disqualified from consideration as a person who might be eligible for help. In this situation, the church may rightfully say, “We can’t assist you because you are not pursuing a life that honors God.”

As a practical matter, this means that it is inappropriate for a church to help someone maintain a God-dishonoring lifestyle. Now to be clear, there may be instances where a church offers assistance to those who are seeking to recover from past mistakes and begin new lives in Christ. However, a person who demonstrates little or no genuine desire to honor God is someone who excludes him or herself from a church family who can help meet his or her legitimate needs.

In this instance, the visible act of living for “…pleasure and self-indulgence” (AMP) reveals a mindset that is described for us in the Biblical book of Romans…

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God…

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” Romans 8:5-8, 12-14 NLT).

In light of this, we can say that our choices and decisions often serve to demonstrate our spiritual concern (or lack of it). For instance, a person who walks by the Spirit is someone who anticipates the reality of eternal life. That belief should then go on to influence their choices. Unfortunately, the same is also true of those who live according to their sinful natures.

In the remorseful words of one source, those individuals“…may yet live many years before their funerals are held; but as regards the precious hope in Christ, they are dead already.” (1)

(1) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:5”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament“. “https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/1-timothy-5.html“. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.