Apostolic Constitutions : But if you admit one younger into the order of widows, and she cannot bear her widowhood in her youth, and marries, she will procure indecent reflections on the glory of the order of the widows, and shall give an account to God; not because she married a second time, but because she has "waxed wanton against Christ," and not kept her promise, because she did not come and keep her promise with faith and the fear of God. Wherefore such a promise ought not to be rashly made, but with great caution: "for it is better for her not to vow, than to vow and not to pay." — Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book 3 Augustine of Hippo : When the apostle says elsewhere, "I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households," he recommends the good of marriage with wisdom and apostolic authority. He does not impose the duty of bearing children. It is not to be treated as it were a law to be observed, at least in the case of those who have chosen the state of continence. Finally, he makes it clear why he has said this, by adding, "Give the adversary no occasion for abusing us. For already some have turned aside after Satan." By these words he wishes us to understand that for the young widows whom he thought it fitting to be married, continence would have been better than marriage, but that it was better for them to marry than to turn aside after Satan, that is, by looking back to former things after having chosen the excellent state of chastity in virginity or widowhood, to abandon it and to perish. — THE EXCELLENCE OF WIDOWHOOD 8.11 Cyprian : That all widows that are approved are to be held in honour. In the first Epistle of Paul to Timothy: "Honour widows which are truly widows. But the widow that is wanton, is dead while she liveth." And again: "But the younger widows pass by: for when they shall be wanton in Christ, they wish to marry; having judgment, because they have cast off their first faith." — Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews John Chrysostom : Paul himself has condemned women who chose widowhood but then do not desire to abide by their decision. — ON VIRGINITY 36.2 John Chrysostom : Why then, you ask, did Paul forbid young women to remain as widows even if they were willing?… Do you not see that it is not those who wish to keep their widowhood but rather those who prefer to marry after being widowed whom he forbids to remain as widows and to be appointed to that holy company? And he does so very wisely. For if you should intend to engage in second marriages, he says, do not profess widowhood. For breaking a promise is much worse than not promising at all. — AGAINST REMARRIAGE 3 John Chrysostom : "The younger widows refuse, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry"; that is, when they have become scornful and luxurious. For as in the case of a just man, we might say, "Let her depart, for she has become another's." He shows therefore that though they chose widowhood, it was not the choice of their judgment. So then a widow, by the state of widowhood, is espoused to Christ. For He has said, "I am the defender of the widows and the father of the orphans." He shows that they do not choose widowhood as they ought, but wax wanton: however he bears with them. Elsewhere indeed he says, "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." — Homily on 1 Timothy 15 Oecumenius : But refuse younger widows; for when they have indulged themselves against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. But refuse younger widows. Therefore, when the struggle becomes greater among virgins, nowhere does it seem to express the observation of time? Because they have come to this point from a greater fervor of faith, indeed a certain necessity follows which solitude brings. Or because, also speaking about virgins, that it should be constant and careful for those who belong to the Lord (1 Cor. 7:32), great diligence was applied. for when they have indulged themselves against Christ. Perhaps there were some who had acted this way. But see that truly widows are also joined to Christ: however, those who are joined to him are placed in the order of virgins. "For I betrothed you, he says, to one husband, pure virgin, to present you to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:2) And these things are fitting for every Church. But what does it mean, "when they have indulged themselves against"? it means, when they become foolish, when they become pampered, that is, when they become arrogant, when they become proud over Christ, not accepting Him as a bridegroom, then they fall away into marriage. For they did not choose widowhood with a judgment of reason. Because they have abandoned the first faith. Paul speaks of the covenant with Christ. For they agreed to be joined to Christ: but they reject Him and turn to earthly marriages. After this, indeed, they fall into another sin, namely idleness. Therefore, he ordered not only men to work, but also women. For every evil arises from idleness. — COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY