[T Minus Four]

1 Tim. 5:9-12 - Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.

What on earth are you talking about?

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 1 Tim 5:9-12

[T Minus Four]

FYI, the "list" was a list of widows who had no family to support them and thus came under the protection of the Christian community.

I'm pleased to see that although I'm getting up there, I would still be considered young enough to be married off again to keep me from causing trouble, LOL!

[Salvation]

Your argument is with St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy, not with me.

Here's what my Bible says:

9

Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years old, married only once,

10

with a reputation for good works, namely, that she has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in distress, involved herself in every good work.

11

But exclude younger widows, for when their sensuality estranges them from Christ, they want to marry

12

and will incur condemnation for breaking their first pledge.

 

 

and the Footnotes from my Bible for that passage:

 

Footnotes

¹ [1-16] After a few words of general advice based on common sense (1 Tim 5:1-2), the letter takes up, in its several aspects, the subject of widows. The first responsibility for their care belongs to the family circle, not to the Christian community as such (1 Tim 5:3-4, 16). The widow left without the aid of relatives may benefit the community by her prayer, and the community should consider her material sustenance its responsibility (1 Tim 5:5-8). Widows who wish to work directly for the Christian community should not be accepted unless they are well beyond the probability of marriage, i.e., sixty years of age, married only once, and with a reputation for good works (1 Tim 5:9-10). Younger widows are apt to be troublesome and should be encouraged to remarry (1 Tim 5:11-15).