I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 14. The younger [5] (widows) should marry. They who understand this of a command or exhortation to all widows to marry, make Saint Paul contradict himself, and the advice he gave to widows 1 Corinthians 7 where he says, (verse 40) She (the widow) will be more happy if she so remain according to my counsel; and when it is there said, I would have all to be as myself. [See the notes on those places.] He can therefore only mean such young widows, of whom he is speaking, that are like to do worse. Thus it is expounded by S. Jerom to Sabina: [6] “Let her rather take a husband than the devil.” And in another epistle, to Ageruchia: “It is better to take a second husband than many adulterers.” Saint John Chrysostom [7] on this verse: I will, or would have such to marry, because they themselves will do it. See also Saint Augustine [8] de Bono viduitatis. c. viii. Witham.