<p>5:7 <i>These things also command, so that they may be without reproach</i>- The concern seems to be that the surrounding opposition to Christianity in Ephesus, both Jewish and pagan, could so easily use the situation with the widows in order to bring reproach upon the name of Christ and to finally stamp out Christianity in Ephesus. The &quot;things&quot; may be the practical commands regarding how to reform the system of widow support in Ephesus which follow in :8-16. The Greek for &quot;reproach&quot; means literally 'not arrested'. Paul could imagine how the Christians could easily be arrested for things related to what they were doing; they were laying themselves wide open to all manner of accusations and legal problems.</p>