1 Timothy 5:12

KJV

Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

KJV (with Strong's)

Having {G2192} damnation {G2917}, because {G3754} they have cast off {G114} their first {G4413} faith {G4102}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This brings them under condemnation for having set aside the trust they had at first.

Berean Standard Bible

and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.

American Standard Version

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Timothy 5:12, the Apostle Paul addresses the spiritual consequences for younger widows who, having made a solemn commitment to dedicated service within the church, subsequently abandon that pledge. The verse states that they incur "damnation" or judgment, not necessarily eternal condemnation, but a negative verdict or spiritual discredit, because they have deliberately "cast off" their "first faith," referring to their initial, sacred commitment to Christ and His service, likely including a vow of celibacy and devotion. This instruction underscores the gravity with which God views vows and the importance of steadfastness in Christian commitment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's detailed instructions to Timothy concerning the proper care and order within the Ephesian church, specifically regarding the various groups of people, including widows. In [1 Timothy 5:3-16](/1_timothy/5-3-16 "1 Timothy 5:3-16 - Instructions Concerning Widows"), Paul distinguishes between "widows indeed" (older, truly destitute, and devoted women who meet specific criteria for church support) and younger widows. He advises against enrolling younger widows in the official list of church-supported individuals, anticipating that their natural desires would lead them to remarry. Verse 11 suggests that if they remarry, they "will have damnation, because they have cast off their first faith." This "first faith" is understood as a prior commitment or pledge made to Christ and the church, likely a vow of dedicated service and celibacy, which their desire to remarry would violate. The verse immediately following, [1 Timothy 5:13](/1_timothy/5-13 "1 Timothy 5:13 - Dangers of Idleness for Younger Widows"), further explains Paul's concern, noting that younger widows often become idle, gossips, and busybodies, which can contribute to their spiritual decline and abandonment of their initial commitments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, widows often faced significant social and economic vulnerability. The early church, demonstrating radical compassion, established systems of care for its needy members, including widows. However, this care also came with expectations of conduct and devotion. For some widows, particularly younger ones, joining the "order of widows" might have involved a solemn commitment to celibacy and exclusive service to the church, akin to a spiritual vow. Paul's concern reflects the practical realities of church life in a society where marriage and family were central. The potential for younger women to remarry, or to become idle and disruptive if not properly engaged, presented a challenge to the church's order and reputation. The gravity of vows was deeply ingrained in both Jewish and Roman cultures, making the breaking of such a pledge a serious matter with social and spiritual repercussions.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **seriousness of commitments and vows** made to God. Paul views the breaking of a solemn pledge, particularly one made in the context of Christian service, as a grave matter that incurs divine judgment. This connects to broader biblical principles found in [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - The Importance of Keeping Vows"), which warns against making vows lightly and not fulfilling them. Another key theme is **church discipline and order**, as Paul seeks to establish guidelines for the proper functioning of the Ephesian church, ensuring both compassion and spiritual integrity. The verse also touches on the **dangers of idleness and spiritual compromise**, as the context in [1 Timothy 5:13](/1_timothy/5-13 "1 Timothy 5:13 - The Consequences of Idleness") links the breaking of vows to a lifestyle of idleness and gossip, which can lead believers astray from their initial devotion. Ultimately, the passage emphasizes the importance of **steadfastness and integrity** in one's Christian walk.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **damnation (Greek, _kríma'_):** From G2917, this word signifies "a decision" or "judgment," whether for or against. In this context, it refers to a negative verdict, a condemnation, or a disciplinary consequence for failing to uphold a sacred promise. It does not necessarily imply eternal hell but rather a spiritual discredit or a judgment from God and the church for breaking a specific vow.
* **cast off (Greek, _athetéō'_):** From G114, meaning "to set aside," "to disesteem," "to neutralize," or "to violate." This emphasizes a deliberate and active rejection or nullification of a prior commitment. It implies a conscious act of abandoning their initial pledge or fidelity.
* **first (Greek, _prōtos'_):** From G4413, meaning "foremost (in time, place, order, or importance)." When combined with "faith," it points to the initial, foundational, or primary commitment made by these widows.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From G4102, meaning "persuasion," "credence," "moral conviction," or "fidelity." In the phrase "first faith," it refers to the initial pledge, fidelity, or solemn commitment these younger widows made, likely a vow of dedication to Christ and His service, possibly including celibacy, rather than saving faith itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Having damnation,"**: This clause indicates that a negative judgment or condemnation is incurred. The Greek word `kríma` (G2917) here denotes a verdict, a decision against them, or a spiritual consequence. It suggests that their actions have brought about a state of being under God's displeasure or the church's censure, rather than necessarily eternal perdition. It is a judgment specific to their broken vow.
* **"because they have cast off their first faith."**: This clause provides the reason for the "damnation." The phrase "cast off" (Greek `athetéō`, G114) implies a deliberate act of rejecting, nullifying, or setting aside their initial solemn commitment. "Their first faith" refers to the initial, foundational pledge or fidelity (Greek `prōtos pístis`, G4413, G4102) these younger widows made, likely a vow of celibacy and dedicated service to Christ and the church, which they now desire to abandon by seeking remarriage. This is not a loss of saving faith, but a departure from a specific, sacred, and prior commitment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Cause and Effect** to clearly articulate the spiritual consequence of a specific action. The "damnation" (effect) is directly attributed to the act of "casting off their first faith" (cause). This straightforward structure emphasizes the direct correlation between unfaithfulness to a vow and its negative spiritual repercussions. Additionally, the phrase "cast off their first faith" functions as **Figurative Language**, serving as a powerful metaphor for the abandonment of a solemn pledge. It evokes the image of discarding something valuable or important, highlighting the deliberate nature of their unfaithfulness. The term "damnation" (krima) can also be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the judgment itself stands for the negative state or consequence that results from the broken vow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological weight of 1 Timothy 5:12 extends far beyond the specific case of younger widows, touching upon the fundamental biblical principle of the sanctity of vows and commitments made before God. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as one who keeps His covenants and expects His people to be faithful to their promises. This verse underscores that God takes our pledges seriously, whether they are formal vows, baptismal commitments, marriage vows, or personal promises made in prayer. Breaking such commitments is not a trivial matter, as it reflects a lack of integrity and a disregard for the sacred nature of our relationship with a faithful God. It serves as a stark reminder that our words and intentions, especially when dedicated to divine service, carry spiritual weight and consequences.

* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Keeping Vows to God")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21-23 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of Vows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of 1 Timothy 5:12 addresses younger widows in the early church, its underlying principles resonate powerfully for every believer today. This verse calls us to a profound self-examination regarding the seriousness with which we approach our commitments to God. Have we made pledges, whether formal (like baptism, marriage, or ordination vows) or informal (like promises made in prayer, commitments to service, or resolutions to follow Christ more closely), that we have since neglected or abandoned? The "damnation" mentioned here serves as a sobering reminder that God holds us accountable for our promises, not just for our actions. It challenges us to cultivate a spirit of integrity and steadfastness, ensuring that our "yes" means yes and our "no" means no, especially in matters pertaining to our faith. Furthermore, the broader context of Paul's warning against idleness and busybody behavior (1 Timothy 5:13) reminds us that spiritual compromise often begins with a lack of purposeful engagement and a wandering heart. To avoid "casting off our first faith," we must remain actively devoted to Christ, engaged in His work, and vigilant against the distractions and temptations that can erode our initial fervor and commitment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific commitments or vows have I made to God, either formally or informally, in my Christian walk?**
* **How seriously do I treat my promises, both to God and to others, and are there any areas where I have been unfaithful to a prior pledge?**
* **In what ways might I be at risk of "casting off my first faith" by allowing idleness, worldly desires, or distractions to diminish my initial devotion to Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take to renew my commitment, cultivate greater steadfastness, and live a life of unwavering integrity before God?**

### FAQ
**Does "damnation" in 1 Timothy 5:12 mean eternal hell?**

Answer: No, in this context, the Greek word `kríma` (G2917), translated as "damnation," refers to a negative judgment, a verdict, or a condemnation, specifically for breaking a solemn vow or commitment to church service. It signifies a disciplinary consequence or spiritual discredit, not necessarily eternal damnation in hell. Paul uses `kríma` elsewhere, such as in [1 Corinthians 11:29](/1_corinthians/11-29 "1 Corinthians 11:29 - Judgment for Unworthy Communion"), where partaking of the Lord's Supper unworthily brings "judgment" upon oneself, implying temporal consequences or divine discipline rather than eternal damnation for believers.

**What does "first faith" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "First faith" (Greek `prōtos pístis`, G4413, G4102) refers to an initial, solemn pledge or commitment made by these younger widows. It is widely understood as a vow of dedication to Christ and His service, likely including a commitment to celibacy, made when they sought to be enrolled among the church's official widows. It does not refer to their saving faith in Christ, which, once genuinely possessed, is not lost. Instead, it speaks to a specific, sacred vow or fidelity that they had initially declared and were now abandoning by desiring to remarry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The warning in [1 Timothy 5:12](/1_timothy/5-12 "1 Timothy 5:12 - The Judgment on Younger Widows") regarding the "damnation" incurred by those who "cast off their first faith" powerfully highlights humanity's inherent struggle with faithfulness and commitment. While we are called to steadfastness, our own capacity to maintain our "first faith" often falls short. This inherent unfaithfulness, whether in broken vows or wavering devotion, underscores our profound need for Christ. He is the one who perfectly fulfilled every covenant and commitment, living a life of absolute fidelity to God the Father, even unto death on the cross. His perfect obedience and unwavering faithfulness stand in stark contrast to our own failures. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ bore the "damnation" (judgment) for our unfaithfulness, enabling us to be reconciled to God. Now, in Him, we are not judged by our imperfect keeping of vows, but by His perfect keeping. Furthermore, the new covenant established in His blood empowers us by the Holy Spirit to live lives of increasing faithfulness, not out of our own strength, but out of His indwelling power. He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion ([Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God's Work in Us")), and even when we are faithless, He remains faithful ([2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "2 Timothy 2:13 - Christ Remains Faithful")), securing our ultimate hope and calling us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful ([Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - Holding Fast to Our Confession")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 3:1

¶ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Galatians 1:6

¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

1 Corinthians 11:34

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

1 Peter 4:17

For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Revelation 2:4

Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.