Dating After Widowhood in Accordance with Biblical Principles
Biblical principles regarding dating after widowhood affirm the permissibility of remarriage for widows, while also providing guidance on their care and conduct. The institution of marriage itself dates back to creation, established with principles such as unity, indissolubility (except on strong grounds), and monogamy [2, 4]. Death, however, annuls the marriage bond, freeing the surviving spouse to remarry [12].
The New Testament specifically addresses the issue of widows. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:39, states that "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord" [12]. This passage clearly indicates that remarriage for widows is not unlawful [12].
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul provides further instructions concerning widows within the early Christian community. He distinguishes between older and younger widows. For younger widows, Paul explicitly advises them to remarry, bear children, and manage their households. His reasoning is that this prevents them from being drawn away by their passions and potentially giving occasion for reproach to adversaries [8, 9, 10, 11]. John Calvin, in his commentary, notes that Paul "will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" [10]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary suggests that remarriage is recommended for younger widows as an "antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and t[emptation]" [9].
The Bible also emphasizes the church's responsibility to care for "widows indeed," those who are truly destitute and without family support [1, 6, 7]. However, this care is distinct from the advice given to younger widows who are encouraged to remarry [1, 13]. The Mosaic Law also provided for the protection and kind treatment of widows [6]. While the Old Testament allowed for divorce in certain circumstances, and even remarriage after divorce, the New Testament reaffirms the sanctity of marriage and the freedom of a widow to remarry [3, 5].
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 5:16 (Geneva1599) — If any faithfull man, or faithfull woman haue widowes, let them minister vnto them, and let not the Church bee charged, that there may bee sufficient for them that are widowes in deede.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — + Its origin and history .--The institution of marriage dates from the time of man's original creation. (Genesis 2:18-25) From (Genesis 2:24) we may evolve the following principles: (1) The unity of man and wife, as implied in her being formed out of man. (2) The indissolubleness of the marriage bond, except on; the strongest grounds, Comp. (Matthew 19:9) (3) Monogamy, as the original law of marriage (4) The social equality of man and wife. (5) The subordination of the wife to the husband. (1 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Timothy 2:13) (6) The respective duties of ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Divorce — Law of marriage against -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:6. Permitted By the Mosaic law. -- De 24:1. On account of hardness of heart. -- Mt 19:8. Often sought by the Jews -- Mic 2:9; Mal 2:14. Sought on slight grounds -- Mt 5:31; 19:3. Not allowed to those who falsely accused their wives -- De 22:18,19. Women Could obtain. -- Pr 2:17; Mr 10:12. Could marry after. -- De 24:2. Responsible for vows after. -- Nu 30:9. Married after, could not return to first husband. -- De 24:3,4; Jer 3:1. Afflicted by. -- Isa 54:4,6. Priests not to marry women after -- Le 21:14. Of servants,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Wife — The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Gen. 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife's legal rights (Ex. 21:10) and her duties (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (Deut. 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce wa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Widows — To be treated with kindness (Ex. 22:22; Deut. 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12; 27:19, etc.). In the New Testament the same tender regard for them is inculcated (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:3-16) and exhibited.”
- 1 Timothy “If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. -- 1 Timothy 5:16”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 5:11 (BSB) — But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 5:14: younger women--rather, as ellipsis ought to be supplied, "the younger widows," namely younger widows in general, as distinguished from the older widows taken on the roll of presbyteresses (Ti1 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (Ti1 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with Co1 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare Co1 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and t”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 22.1: 1 Timothy 5:14-16 14 . I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 14 . Volo igitur juniores nubere, liberos gignere, domum administrare, nullam occasionem dare adversario, ut habeat maledicendi causam. 15 . For some are already turned aside after Satan. 15 . Nonnullae enim jam deflexerunt post Satanam. 16 . If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve the”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 5:14: 5:14 Paul is advising younger widows to remarry—and to marry believers (5:11-12; cp. 2:15). • not . . . say anything against them: Their actions were hurting their testimony for the Good News (see 1 Thes 4:11-12; Titus 2:8).”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7:39: The whole is here closed up with advice to widows: As long as the husband liveth the wife is bound by the law, confined to one husband, and bound to continue and cohabit with him. Note, The marriage - contract is for life; death only can annul the bond. But, the husband being dead, she is at liberty to marry whom she will. There is no limitation by God's law to be married only for such a number of times. It is certain, from this passage, that second marriages are not unlawful; for then the widow could not be at liberty to marry whom she pleased, nor to marr”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 5:16: If any . . . have widows--of his family, however related to him. Most of the oldest manuscripts and versions omit "man or," and read, "If any woman that believeth." But the Received text seems preferable. If, however, the weightiest authorities are to prevail, the sense will be: He was speaking of younger widows; He now says, If any believing young widow have widows related to her needing support, let her relieve them, thereby casing the Church of the burden, Ti1 5:3-4 (there it was the children and grandchildren; here it is the young widow, who, in”