But she who lives for pleasureThis phrase addresses a lifestyle focused on self-indulgence and sensual gratification. In the Greco-Roman world, such a lifestyle was often associated with moral decay and was contrary to the virtues of self-control and modesty promoted in early Christian teachings. The Bible frequently warns against living for pleasure, as seen in passages like
Proverbs 21:17, which cautions against loving pleasure at the expense of righteousness. The emphasis here is on the spiritual danger of prioritizing earthly desires over godly living.
is dead
This metaphorical use of "dead" indicates a spiritual death, a state of being separated from the life that God offers. InEphesians 2:1, Paul speaks of being "dead in trespasses and sins," highlighting the spiritual condition of those who live apart from God's will. The idea is that while physically alive, such a person is spiritually lifeless, lacking the true life that comes from a relationship with Christ. This concept is echoed inRomans 8:6, where the mind governed by the flesh is described as death.
even while she is still alive
This phrase underscores the paradox of being physically alive but spiritually dead. It reflects the biblical theme that true life is found in Christ, as stated inJohn 10:10, where Jesus declares His purpose to give life abundantly. The cultural context of the time often equated physical prosperity and pleasure with success, but the early church taught that true life transcends physical existence and is rooted in spiritual vitality. This teaching challenges believers to evaluate their lives in light of eternal values rather than temporary pleasures.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul- The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct.
2.
Timothy- A young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who received this letter as part of his pastoral training and encouragement.
3.
Widows- The immediate context of this verse addresses the conduct and support of widows within the church community.
4.
Ephesus- The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and challenges to Christian living.
5.
The Church- The body of believers in Ephesus, to whom these instructions were indirectly addressed through Timothy.
Teaching Points
Understanding True LifeTrue life is found in Christ, not in the pursuit of worldly pleasures. Spiritual vitality comes from a relationship with God, not from indulgence in temporary satisfactions.
The Danger of Self-IndulgenceLiving for pleasure can lead to spiritual death. Christians are called to live disciplined lives, focusing on eternal values rather than fleeting pleasures.
The Role of the ChurchThe church has a responsibility to guide and support its members, especially those vulnerable to worldly temptations, such as widows in this context.
Spiritual AwarenessBelievers must remain vigilant about their spiritual state, ensuring that they are truly alive in Christ and not merely existing in a state of spiritual deadness.
Repentance and RenewalThere is always an opportunity for repentance and renewal. Those who find themselves living for pleasure can turn back to God and find true life in Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 5:6?
2.How does 1 Timothy 5:6 define living for pleasure and its consequences?
3.What practical steps can prevent living in spiritual "death" as described here?
4.How does 1 Timothy 5:6 connect with Proverbs 21:17 about loving pleasure?
5.In what ways can we encourage others to avoid the pitfalls mentioned?
6.How can we apply 1 Timothy 5:6 to modern-day lifestyle choices?
7.What does 1 Timothy 5:6 mean by "dead even while she lives"?
8.How does 1 Timothy 5:6 challenge modern views on materialism and spirituality?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of 1 Timothy 5:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 5?
11.What does the Bible say about predestination?
12.Can one be saved without being predestined?
13.Why was the gospel preached to the dead?
14.How does 1 Timothy 6:3-5 reconcile its condemnation of 'false teachers' with the importance of open inquiry and critical thinking?What Does 1 Timothy 5:6 Mean
But- The conjunction draws a sharp contrast with the devoted widow of1 Timothy 5:5 who “has set her hope on God.”
- Paul turns from a life centered on prayer to one centered on self-gratification (cf.James 4:4;Galatians 5:17).
- The single word signals that two opposite pathways lie before every believer.
She who lives for pleasure- Describes an ongoing pursuit of self-indulgence, not an occasional enjoyment (cf.Titus 3:3;2 Timothy 3:4).
- Scripture warns that flesh-focused living disqualifies a widow from church support (1 Timothy 5:9-10) and endangers her soul (Galatians 6:8).
- Pleasure becomes an idol when it replaces devotion to Christ.
Is dead- A present spiritual reality: separation from the life of God even now (Ephesians 4:18;Revelation 3:1).
- EchoesRomans 8:13—“If you live according to the flesh, you will die.”
- What looks like freedom is, in fact, bondage leading to judgment.
Even while she is still alive- Physical life can mask spiritual death (Revelation 3:1;Luke 15:24).
- Earthly vitality without godliness is hollow and temporary (Hebrews 3:13).
- The church must see past outward appearances and call such a person to repentance before eternity is fixed.
SummaryPaul contrasts a God-dependent widow with one devoted to pleasure. The latter is already dead in God’s sight, despite her pulse, because self-indulgence severs fellowship with Him. True life is found only in steadfast dependence on Christ, not in the fleeting comforts of the flesh.
(6)
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.--This is a thoroughly Pauline thought, set forth in other language in the Roman Epistle,
Romans 8:13 : "For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die." The word in the Greek rendered "she that liveth in pleasure" is very remarkable, and in the New Testament is found only in one other place (
James 5:5). The widow-woman who could so forget her sorrow and her duty is spoken of as a living corpse, and sharply contrasted with her far happier sister, who, dead to the pleasures of the flesh, living a life of prayer and of self-denial, in the true sense of the word, may be spoken of as living. A very different estimate of
life was held by the greatest of Greek poets, who writes thus of men giving up pleasures: "I do not consider that such a one
lives,but I regard him as a
living corpse"(
Antigone of Sophocles, 1166-7, Dindorf). Comp., too,
Revelation 3:1.
Verse 6. -
Giveth herself to for
liveth in, A.V.
Giveth herself to pleasure (
ἡσπαταλῶσα); only here and
James 5:5 (
ἐσπαταλήσατε "taken your pleasure," R.V., "been wanton," A.V.) in the New Testament, but found (as well as
σπατάλη and
σπάταλος) in Ecclus. 21:15, and in Polybius (Liddell and Scott). Trench ('Synonyms of New Testament,' p. 191) compares and contrasts
στρηνιάω τρυφάω, and
σπαταλάω, and says that the latter includes the idea of prodigality. The word brings into the strongest possible contrast the widow who was like Anna, and those whom St. Paul here denounces.
Is dead while she liveth; or,
has died (is dead)
in her lifetime. She is dead to God, and, as Alford suggests, is no longer a living member of the Church of Christ. Compare St. Jude's expression "twice dead" (ver. 12). The expression in
Revelation 3:1 is different, unless
ζῶσα here can have the same meaning as
ὄνομα ἔχει ὅτι ζῇ, "though nominally alive as a Christian," etc.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.she whoἡ(hē)Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.lives for pleasureσπαταλῶσα(spatalōsa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4684:To live extravagantly, luxuriously; To be wanton. From spatale; to be voluptuous.is deadτέθνηκεν(tethnēken)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2348:To die, be dying, be dead. A strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o; to die.[even while she] is still alive.ζῶσα(zōsa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2198:To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.
Links
1 Timothy 5:6 NIV1 Timothy 5:6 NLT1 Timothy 5:6 ESV1 Timothy 5:6 NASB1 Timothy 5:6 KJV
1 Timothy 5:6 BibleApps.com1 Timothy 5:6 Biblia Paralela1 Timothy 5:6 Chinese Bible1 Timothy 5:6 French Bible1 Timothy 5:6 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 Timothy 5:6 But she who gives herself to pleasure (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) 
