What Does 1 Timothy 5:14 Mean in the King James?
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The adversary’s reproach is pictured as needing a launch point: an occasion supplied by what can be seen.
THE MEANING
Marriage, childbearing, and household governance are placed alongside the voice of opposition: life at home has consequences beyond its walls. The adversary’s reproach is not presented as inevitable; it needs an occasion.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that household life has no bearing on what an opponent can say in public.
THE ROOT
ἀφορμή
aphormē
GROWS FROM
ὁρμ-
horm-
A point of movement, impulse, or launch; with ἀπό (apo), a starting point or opportunity.
“Occasion” carries the sense of a point from which something can set out. The reproach is described as needing such a starting place, so “give none occasion” means leaving no launch point for the accusation.
ALSO GROWS
hormē: Impulse, rush, or point of departure.
ὁρμή
This root sense gives “occasion” the feel of a beginning from which an action proceeds.
hormaō: Rush, set out, or move toward.
ὁρμάω
The related verb makes the image of an accusation launching from an opening more vivid.
οἰκοδεσποτεῖν
oikodespotein
GROWS FROM
οἶκος + δεσπότης (oikos + despotēs)
House + master or household head; to manage or govern a household.
“guide the house” in this verse is oikodespotein. The Greek word has the force of managing a household, while “guide” can sound like merely pointing the way. The household appears as a place of active governance, not a background detail.
ALSO GROWS
oikodespotēs: Householder or head of a household.
οἰκοδεσπότης
The related noun makes explicit the household authority contained in the verb.
despotēs: Master or owner.
δεσπότης
This element shows the strength of the governance implied by “guide the house.”
ἀντικείμενος
antikeimenos
GROWS FROM
κεῖμαι
keimai
To lie or be situated; with ἀντί (anti), to be set opposite or in opposition.
The word presents the adversary as one positioned against the person. The reproach comes from opposition, and the verse connects that oppositional speech to whether it has an occasion from which to proceed.
ALSO GROWS
keimai: Lie, be placed, or be situated.
κεῖμαι
This root supplies the image of a position or stance.
antikeimai: Stand or be set in opposition; oppose.
ἀντίκειμαι
The compound names the adversary by the opposing position they take.
THE PATTERN
A life’s visible conduct can supply or remove the ground on which accusation stands.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.THE THREAD
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.This verse uses the same Greek word, ἀφορμή (aphormē), meaning “occasion” or “starting point,” for what sin seizes through the commandment. The shared word makes the image of a reproach launching from an opening audible in both passages.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us