5:12

they have abandoned their first expression of faith: Or “they have abandoned their previous promise.” This expression may suggest that some younger widows in Ephesus had expressed a desire​—perhaps even made some kind of promise or commitment​—to remain single and serve Jehovah with full, undistracted devotion. (Compare 1Co 7:34.) In response, the congregation may have given them material assistance. However, some apparently changed their priorities. As Paul puts it, they allowed their sexual desires to “come between them and the Christ.” (1Ti 5:11) “At the same time,” Paul adds, they were showing other fleshly tendencies, such as becoming “not only unoccupied but also gossipers and meddlers in other people’s affairs.” (1Ti 5:13) So in verse 14, Paul gives further direction about how younger widows can protect themselves from spiritual harm.​—See study note on 1Ti 5:14.