SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:9
La viuda sea puesta en lista, no menor de sesenta aos, la cual haya sido mujer de un varn.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:9
Verse 9. Taken into the number] Let her not be taken into the list of those for which the Church must provide. But some think that the apostle means the list of those who were deaconesses in the Church; and that no widow was to be admitted into that rank who did not answer to the following character. See on ver. 10. Under threescore years] As it might be supposed that, previously to this age, they might be able to do something towards their own support. See on ver. 10.
Having been the wife of one man] Having lived in conjugal fidelity with her husband; or having had but one husband at a time; or, according to others, having never been but once married. But the former is the opinion of some of the most eminent of the Greek fathers, and appears to be that most consistent with the scope of the place, and with truth.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. Let not a widow be taken into the number , etc.] That is, of widows, to be maintained by the church; though some choose to understand these words of the number of such who were made deaconesses, and had the care of the poor widows of the church committed to them; and so the Arabic version renders it, if a widow be chosen a deaconess; but the former sense is best, for it appears from ( 1 Timothy 5:1,6) that the apostle is still speaking of widows to be relieved: now such were not to be taken under the church's care for relief, under threescore years old: for under this age it might be supposed they would marry, and so not be desolate, but would have husbands to provide for them; or they might be capable of labour, and so of taking care of themselves. The age of sixty years was by the Jews reckoned hnqz , old age, but not under. Having been the wife of one man ; that is, at one time; for second marriages are not hereby condemned, for this would be to condemn what the apostle elsewhere allows, ( Romans 7:2,3). Nor is the sense only, that she should be one who never had more husbands than one at once; for this was not usual for women to have more husbands than one, even where polygamy obtained, or where men had more wives than one: this rather therefore is to be understood of one who had never put away her husband, and married another, which was sometimes done among the Jews; (see Mark 10:12), and this being a scandalous practice, the apostle was willing to put a mark of infamy upon it, and exclude such persons who had been guilty of it from the number of widows relieved by the church.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-16 - Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when the are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and thos who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make mischief among neighbours, and so discord among brethren. All believers are required to relieve thos belonging to their families who are destitute, that the church may no be prevented from relieving such as are entirely destitute an friendless.
Greek Textus Receptus
χηρα 5503 καταλεγεσθω 2639 5744 μη 3361 ελαττον 1640 ετων 2094 εξηκοντα 1835 γεγονυια 1096 5756 ενος 1520 ανδρος 435 γυνη 1135
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Be taken into the number (katalegesqw). Better, enrolled (as a widow). N.T.o . Very, rare in LXX. Common in Class. Originally, to pick out, as soldiers. Hence, to enroll, enlist. Here, to be enrolled in the body of widows who are to receive church support. See on ver. 3.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:9 {Let none be enrolled as a widow} (cera katalegesqw). Present passive imperative of katalegw, old verb, to set down in an official list, only here in N.T. "Let a widow be enrolled," the negative coming later, "having become of no less than sixty years" (me elatton etwn hexekonta gegonuia). Second perfect active participle of ginomai. For the case of etwn, see #Lu 2:42. this list of genuine widows (verses #3,5) apparently had some kind of church work to do (care for the sick, the orphans, etc.). {The wife of one man} (henos andros gune). Widows on this list must not be married a second time. this interpretation is not so clear for #3:2,12; Tit 1:6.
