1 Timothy 5:9 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Be taken into the number,— Be put upon the list, is the precise signification of the word καταλεγεσθω. Surely none can imagine that the apostle meant to confine the charity of the church to widows of such an age, and who had all these characters. We must therefore conclude, that he speaks of those who bore the office of deaconesses, who were probably entrusted with the care of entertaining Christian strangers, whether ministers or others; and perhaps of entertaining some poor children, who might be maintained by the alms of the church: and it might be very proper on many accounts, and for very obvious reasons, that this office should be committed only to persons of an advanced age, and such as hadlaid aside all thoughts of marrying again. It is evident, that they who had practised hospitality themselves in their most prosperous days, would be particularly fit for one part of this office, and peculiarly worthy of the countenance which this office gave, and of the trust which it implied. We find that these widows were to be such as had been the wife of one man. It is very certain that second marriages in the general are not condemned by Christianity. The apostle expressly advises the younger widows to marry again, 1 Timothy 5:14.