1 Tim. 5:8. That one has denied the faith.
Why? Because his deeds are not the deeds of a believer. If he believed in God, he would heed His words: "hide not thyself from thine own flesh" (Isa. 58:7). They say that "they profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him" (Tit. 1:16).
1 Tim. 5:8. And worse than an unbeliever.
Because the last one, even if he despises strangers, at least does not despise those close to him, being moved, of course, by nature; but this one violates both the law of God and the law of nature, and acts unjustly. Who then would believe that such a person can be merciful to strangers? And if he is indeed merciful to strangers, is this not vainglory? Consider: if the one who does not care for his own household is worse than an unbeliever, then where shall we rank the one who wrongs his own? For it is not enough for anyone's salvation to possess virtue alone, if he, being virtuous himself, does not also teach and persuade his relatives to be the same.
1 Tim. 5:9. Let a widow be enrolled who is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband.
Since above the apostle said that a pleasure-loving woman who does not care for her own household is unworthy to be numbered among the widows, he now teaches us what she must have. In the first place the apostle sets a definite age for her, and indicates the reason for this afterward. However, he does not approve a sixty-year-old woman simply on the basis of age alone, for even such a woman may prove to be unworthy. Then the apostle requires of her a single marriage, as a sign of her dignified honesty and love of chastity.
1 Tim. 5:10. Known for good works.
This is precisely what makes her worthy to be numbered among the widows. Then the apostle enumerates, in particular, her deeds.
1 Tim. 5:10. If she raised children.
Raising children does not consist in simply feeding them, but in bringing them up as one ought, just as he also said above: "if she continues in faith and love and holiness" (1 Tim. 2:15).
1 Tim. 5:10. She received strangers.
Do you see that he places good deeds toward one's own above good deeds toward strangers? Having first said: "if she brought up children," only then does he add: "if she lodged strangers." Even if some widow were lacking in something, she still has a house and does not live out in the open air.
1 Tim. 5:10. Washed the feet of the saints.
He said this because many widows, although they receive strangers, do not serve them themselves, but their maidservants serve them. Therefore, wishing that the widow be active and not idle, he commands her to serve herself: laziness is characteristic of a more pampered woman. Furthermore, lest some widow, out of unwillingness to receive strangers, justify herself by claiming complete poverty, as though she had no means for this, the apostle says: to wash feet, there is no need for great expenditure and wealth. And "saints" are all those who hold the right faith and live piously, even if they do not perform signs.
1 Tim. 5:10. Helped those in distress.
Money, intercession, and mediation.
1 Tim. 5:10. And she was zealous for every good work.
For example, if she herself could not do it, she at least took part in the affairs of another, serving. The Apostle urges the widow to carry out bodily service — to make a bed, for instance, to give comfort, things which women are most capable of doing.
1 Tim. 5:11. But do not accept the younger widows.
Why does the apostle give no commandment regarding the age of virgins, even though this feat was far more important? Undoubtedly because such a feat is a feat of an exalted spiritual disposition and great zeal. On the contrary, when the apostle requires of virgins unceasing service to the Lord in quietness and care for the things of the Lord, here he sets forth and demands of them great diligence. From this, the very determination of the age of life also becomes evident. Moreover, the younger widows themselves gave occasion for such a regulation by the fact that they did not endure widowhood; meanwhile, among the virgins there was nothing of the sort.
1 Tim. 5:11. For they, growing wanton against Christ, desire to marry.
That is, when they become insensible, grow lax, and become proud against Christ, not wishing to have Him as their Bridegroom, then at last they enter into marriage; for they had chosen widowhood frivolously. Note that a widow also has Christ as her Bridegroom, just as a virgin does.
1 Tim. 5:12. They are subject to condemnation, because they have rejected their former faith.
By "faith" the apostle means a vow. They broke, he says, their covenant with Christ, and for that they are subject to condemnation.
1 Tim. 5:13. And besides, being idle, they learn to go about from house to house.