Real Widows, Young Widows and the Limits of Benefaction in 1 Timothy 5:3–16
John Barclay, in his 2020 article, "Household Networks and Early Christian Economics," outlines the puzzles that "abound" in 1 Timothy 5:3-16. Among his list of puzzles, he asks, "Is it inconsistent to say that a χήρα can be registered only if she has brought up children (5....
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
[publisher not identified]
2022
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| In: |
Australian biblical review
Year: 2022, Volume: 70, Pages: 83-100 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Timotheusbrief 1. 5,3-16
/ Barclay, John M. G. 1958-
/ Widow
/ Household
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| RelBib Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy HC New Testament NCE Business ethics ZB Sociology |
| Summary: | John Barclay, in his 2020 article, "Household Networks and Early Christian Economics," outlines the puzzles that "abound" in 1 Timothy 5:3-16. Among his list of puzzles, he asks, "Is it inconsistent to say that a χήρα can be registered only if she has brought up children (5.10), but to deny her support in 5:4-8 if she has children to look after? Who are the younger x~pm that the Pastor is evidently so anxious about (5: 11-15) ... ?" Barclay's article has gone a long way to resolving these puzzles. The "younger χήραι" he identifies as "virgins." This was an anomaly in the social world of the early Christians, which forced them to adapt terms for the woman beyond puberty but was without a man. This was a xtjpa. While in agreement with Barclay, this article probes a little more deeply into the problem of the younger xtjpa and her dowry. It makes the proposal that if the younger χήρα is a virgin, then the issue in 1 Timothy 5 is not her ongoing support, which seems manageable for the "real widow," but the support for the virgin who wishes to marry after she has been assigned as a qualifying χήρα. |
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| ISSN: | 0045-0308 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Australian biblical review
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