Pastor husband of one wife. That’s a good thing.

Pastor husband of one wife. ” The construction of these two verses is identical.
 


Pastor husband of one wife This qualification, like all other requirements, is an area of an elders life where he “must be blameless” (1 Tim. In 1 Timothy 3:2, when we arrive at the requirements for the office of Pastor, we read “husband of one wife. Ed Glasscock [Ed Glasscock, Pastor, Bethel Bible Church, Argyle, Iowa] With the divorce rate in America approaching nearly 50 percent of all marriages, the church is being forced to deal more frequently with converts who have divorced and remarried. “Notice,” they said, “it says a bishop must be the husband of one wife. 1 Timothy 3:2-7 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; It means to have nothing in one’s conduct on which someone could ground a charge or accusation. Share. The issue here is a man who is solely and only and totally devoted to the woman who is his wife. ). In ministry, this is impossible. Bible Bulletin Board has included this file due to the excellence of the . CAUTION: Wolves Crossing 14. Some of the more radical interpretations have been "one wife" = "the Church" and thus a call to celibacy, but that's simply unbiblical. 3 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Scripture is equally clear that women are not to be pastors in the church. There is nothing wrong with doing this, and I enjoy supporting my man. Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:12)? Here is a quick walk-through this somewhat complicated expression. In other words, the pastor and his wife determine how active the pastor's wife should be. by Timothy Binion. 100 MacArthur, 1 Timothy, 104; For examples of various commentators challenging the notion that polygamy was a widespread practice in the non Jewish first century world see Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, 80; Grudem, Systematic Theology, 917; Fairbairn, “On the Meaning of the Expression 'Husband of One Wife,' in 1 Tim III. 1 Timothy 5:19-20 causes us to respond slowly if the pastor is repentant. There are at least three reasons for desiring a correct interpretation. I believe there is a special anointing upon the pastor’s wife to go beyond the normal call of duty. 1:15) refers most likely One ordained as a pastor or any pastor serving a church must maintain these scriptural qualifications. A pastor could not be bigamist or a Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. The husband of one wife - This neither means that a bishop must be married, According to Titus 1:6, a pastor or elder must be a “husband of one wife. They also help us analyze general site traffic so we can improve the website for everyone. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 1 Timothy 3:2: 1 Tim 3:2-4; Titus 1:6-8; 1 Senior Pastor Job Description 1 Peter 5:2, 3 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. Another couple I can think of, the wife was children's pastor at one church and the husband was music minister at another church. Relationships, Relationships 9. 6,” 428; Kent, The Pastoral Description. But that does not change or nulify the fact that if he has been divorced and is remarried and he has two wives and often two families. Beau Shroyer was a Detroit Lakes Police officer, pastor, and married father of five. A funny, but true story. The qualifications I have in mind are: “Therefore an overseer must bethe husband of one wifeHe must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”—1 Tim 3:2, 4-5; and: “if anyone isthe husband A pastor is not allowed to marry a woman who was married before. Thus, a pastor’s wife must not be married to a man who is a pastor and has another wife. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, 3:2 Therefore - That he may be capable of it. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. There are four main historical approaches to interpreting this expression. He must not be divorced. 12) eliminates from Christian service a . Paul will say the same about deacons. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of 1) The arguments most persuasive to me that Paul may be limiting overseers to only one wife for a lifetime (thus excluding the possibility of remarriage after divorce or death of a spouse) include the following. . ” The cliche ministry danger of “sacrificing one’s family on the altar of the church” is cliche for a reason. It Is OK to Laugh 12. Husbands are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the home (1 Corinthians 11 he shouldn’t expect to need to spoon-feed his wife the Word. Chicago: Moody, 1985, 5). Must be blameless - Without fault or just suspicion. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 3:2; Titus 1:6) The Greek words, which we translate as “the husband of one wife,” speak to the subject of fidelity in marriage, not marital status. 2 Timothy 4. A pastor could not be bigamist or a polygamist. Introduction. Titus 1:5–7: “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might . “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” 7. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. the text literally says that the pastor must be a “man of one woman” (cf. 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ” I have in my library 14 volumes on Paul’s letter to Titus. B. He based his belief on 1 Tim 3:2, which reads, “The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife. " 1Timothy 3:2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" 1Timothy 3:3 "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, The home is like a little church, and if a man can’t oversee the one well he won’t oversee the other well either. Love your pastor’s wife with a little gift now Both of these passages teach us that an elder, including the pastor, must be one who cannot be legitimately criticized of wrongdoing. I have known several couples who attended different churches, often because each spouse had a different ministry. 3:2;cf. 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. A pastor could not divorce his wife, except if she commits adultery, and marry another because he would be the husband of two wives, being bound in covenant to two women (Mat 19:9). If a pastor is married, he can only have one wife (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6). Arguments in Favor of this Interpretation. Through a series of misunderstandings and unspoken words, it felt like we’d been dropped. So here it is. Directly rendered, the Greek phrase Here are various views on “husband of one wife” or “a one-woman man. Titus 1:6-9. John Piper @JohnPiper. By Does the phrase “husband of one wife” mean that an unmarried or divorced man cannot serve as an elder or pastor? Cookies enable you to enjoy features such as social sharing. Titus 1:6 in all English translations. Some consider that this means a 1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. The main area of responsibility for any wife is to support and be submissive to her husband (Ephesians 5:22-24). ” 5. A pastor doesn't have to be married, which was the case with Jesus (Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25) and Paul (1Co 7:7-8). Various interpretations have been proposed for this phrase from the patristic period until today: It has been I Timothy 3:2 tells that the elder must be the “husband of one wife. But what if he chooses to remain single? Several issues should be dealt with. With regard to marriage, the man in question must be a faithful spouse. Husband of one wife, he must be temperate, discreet and courteous, hospitable and a good teacher; 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Read full chapter. ” (4) A final group of commentators believes Paul to be teaching that an overseer must be I Timothy 3:2 tells that the elder must be the “husband of one wife. It also attempts to provoke individual Christians and church leaders to study and compare She must have a strong spiritual testimony and be truly destitute. So anyone who has married, been divorced, and subsequently married is disqualified. v. any. These So our pastor is correct. Both warrant some attention and so we will take two blogs to explore each in some detail. Taking Care of Yourself 15. Anderson writes, “For centuries it has been debated whether or not the biblical injunction that an elder or overseer be the ‘husband of one wife’ means that a divorced person may never have any place within the professional ministry” (The Effective Pastor: A Practical Guide to the Ministry. A single man who The pastor’s burden is enormous, but there is a lot of weight on his wife’s shoulders to genuinely uphold, love, and support her husband; to be an obedient servant of Christ. The reason being that in a domestic situation where there is more than one wife, there are problems that arise that would detract from the duties of a pastor/teacher or deacon. ” This rule certainly applies to marriage between a minister and a woman who has been divorced by her husband (1 Timothy 3:2). Having surveyed the biblical evidence, I then turn my attention to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, examining what the phrase, “Husband of one wife” means, and give advice both to the divorced who want to serve in the church and to churches dealing with this issue. While the qualification “husband of one wife” may, in some instances, disqualify a divorced and remarried man from serving in church leadership, an even more difficult question is a married man who has never been divorced, but is married to a \"Husband of one wife\" What is the common "reformed" exegesis / views of 1 Tim 3:2; 4:14; and Titus 1:6 regarding the requirement that I was once a member of a Baptist church in Abilene Texas where the pastor was rock solid against a divorced man being a deacon because he said the word is the word and we can't deny what John Gill: (Baptist; born 1697): Polygamy And Unscriptural Divorce: The husband of one wife; which is not to be understood in a mystical and allegorical sense of his being the pastor of one church, since the apostle afterwards speaks of his house and children, that are to be ruled and kept in good order by him, in distinction from the church of God; but in a literal sense of his This discussion explores the biblical foundations of the pastor’s wife’s responsibilities, emphasizing her role as a helper to her husband, a leader by example, a supporter of the church, and a nurturer of her family. Download Revive Our Hearts’ 31 Days of Praying for Your Pastor’s Wife PDF. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection The elder qualification, “husband of one wife” is listed by Paul in both 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6. Right away, we see that a pastor is to be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:3, ESV). In this episode of the podcast, Jared and Ronnie explain the biblical qualification of being a “one-woman man” (as well as managing the household well and having “faithful” children) and how it speaks to an even larger faithfulness to the gospel in the life of a Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well. This requirement "one woman man" has I was listening to the January 26, 2007 radio program online by Matt Slick of carm. The biblical verse 1 Timothy 3:2 makes it clear that the husband of one wife is someone who chooses to fulfill the solemn vow of marriage, as this biblical passage states that any man aspiring to serve as a pastor must be “the husband of one wife”. I Timohty 3:12 clarifies, Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 1) It could simply be saying that a polygamist is not qualified to be an elder, a deacon or a pastor. The pain was intense, and I . For the latter scroll down. The other partnership-roles that may come after should happen following your role as wife to your husband. One of the truly remarkable qualities of a pastor’s wife is when they are able to show a faithful love for the members they serve. 1 This is a true saying: If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good worke. First Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 teach that an elder or pastor must be known as the husband of one wife, a qualification also mentioned regarding deacons in 1 Timothy 3:12. Can anyone explain when the tradition of defining "The husband of one wife' (1 Timothy 3:2) as never having been divorced began? Seems only Church fellowship over 50 years of age still try to adhere to that definition, while even the Southern Baptist Association says it's up to the individual Church to use the definition that they prefer. You Are Your Husband’s Lover 8. Some suggest that it means that a bishop must be married. Isn’t It “Husband of One Wife”? Perhaps at this point, you’re feeling the weight of this phrase “one-woman man” both for elder qualification and for Christian manhood in general. One ordained as a pastor or any pastor serving a church must maintain these scriptural qualifications. See 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 both state an elder must be “the husband of one wife. This fact argues for a different meaning of the phrase “the wife of one husband” in 1 Timothy 5:9, and likewise a different meaning for “the husband of one wife. I wish my sister had been more involved in her husband's church. Though all Finally, there is the argument that “husband of one wife” is most faithfully rendered as “one-woman man” and is prohibiting unfaithful, womanizing men from serving as deacons. ONE IS CLERGY —-Address block, formal: One of the funnier expectations I came across was the one where every pastor’s wife should play the piano. The Sky Is Your Limit 13. Does it mean that he is only supposed to be married to one wife for his entire life? Does it mean that he is not to be married See more Much controversy has surrounded the elder qualification translated as "husband of one wife" in 1 Timothy 3:2. appoint elders in every town as I directed you — if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. He must A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy 2. When thinking about choosing leaders for the local church, we need to apply the standards of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 wisely and 1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, 2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. ” This qualification means that an elder must be completely devoted to his wife. Since we are all one in Christ, any one may desire the office of pastor, regardless of gender. org. comment on 1 Tim. Matt said it was “case closed” because women cannot be “the husband of one wife”. He said, “If any one desires the office of a bishop” (1 Tim. You asked. Titus 2:3-5). ” I Timothy 5:9 tells that the enlisted widow (a widow supported by the church) must have been the “wife of one husband. Note #1: This section is presented first for couples using the same surname (below), then second for couples using different surnames. 2 A Bishop then must be blamelesse, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behauiour, giuen to hospitalitie, apt to teach; 3 Not giuen to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not couetous; 4 One that ruleth well his owne house, Husband of One Wife “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach Most of Christendom, however, holds that a pastor or deacon must be one who has never experienced the sorrow and tragedy of divorce. Verse 6 includes three major qualifications: First, the individual must stand out for strong moral character. Bible Gateway Recommends. One of the qualifications of a deacon is that they be the husband of one wife. The pastor’s wife’s primary biblical duty is to be a supportive and loving wife to her husband. Though all of them are important and required, the most misunderstood is the "husband of one wife". i. One of her qualifications was that of having been the wife of one man (1 Timothy 5:9). This poses a problem for the bigamist interpretation of NKJ 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; NJB 1 Timothy 3:2 That is why the presiding elder must have an impeccable character. One wife had done postgraduate work, and one wife had completed only the eighth grade. In 1st Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul lays down the qualifications for the pastoral candidate, saying that a pastor or an overseer “must be above reproach, the husband of one wife” (1 Tim 3:2a). A pastor must be “the husband of one wife. In 1 Timothy 3:2, 12, and Titus 1:6, the apostle straightforwardly indicates that a pastor must be “the husband of one wife. No doubt, this referred to having been married only once. Former Lead Pastor. The interpretation of Pauls words has been discussed for two millennia. She is to be in submission to her husband! A Woman Pastor. Titus 1:6 states, If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. Read full chapter. This is a very controversial question, but I have ben studying Timothy and I thought I would bring it before the jury. A young couple came to my husband and I one day, to formally ask us to be one of the principal sponsors at their wedding. The same phrase is found in 1 Timothy 3:12 when referring to the qualifications of a Deacon. 1 Timothy 3:2 Lit The; 1 Timothy 3:2 Or level-headed; Cross references. Most English translations render the translation the husband of one wife. A ministry job, like any other job, comes with a contract, a salary, and husband of one wife” has become in the NRSV “married only once”; the original NIV (1984) translation “must be the husband of but one wife” became in the 2011 edition “is to be faithful to his wife,” significantly softening the stipulation and First Timothy 3. Robert C. Deacons Church leaders responsible for serving the congregation and managing church affairs. I mean, I can sing a song or two, which I’ll link Here and Here, about needing to support your pastor husband. Respectively the first reference refers to the qualifications of a bishop, (pastor Nowhere in Scripture or in the time of Christ was polyandry an issue. ” Pastor and Wife or Husband Clergy and Wife or Husband. As the pastor’s wife, everybody expects so much from you, and I don’t mean to So, if we’re going to insist that “husband of one wife” means that the church leader must be male, then we must insist that they are also the parent of multiple children. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 1 Timothy 2. man who has been divorced and remarried, or a man who has married a woman who . But Christ has seen it fit and necessary for His church to have local leaders— “under-shepherds” to help guide and protect His flock. Rabbis Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be] sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or The text: “Husband of one wife” The Greek of 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 reads mias gunaikos aner, literally “of one woman man. A husband is to take care of the wife as the weaker vessel. The Bible does not address the involvement of the pastor's wife in any ministry. Titus 2. A wife is part of These qualifications are simple and straightforward. For 31 percent of the wives, a four-year college degree had been attained, but more than half If a pastor is the husband of one wife, his marriage influences all he does. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Kadirdemir The Wife’s Role as a Church Member “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5). Here we are given only a partial list of the qualifications for an elder. 1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE. What does Paul mean when he requires that Elders and Deacons be "the husband of one wife" (1 Tim. ’” To state it negatively, a pastor’s wife’s ministry to her husband and family should not be Irreproachable and Husband of One Wife 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Part 3 November 23, 2024. The Devotional Life of the Pastor’s Wife 6. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 provide a complete listing of all of the qualifications of an elder or pastor. ” Share with your congregation the joys of being the husband of one wife. It is important to correctly interpret the phrase “husband of one wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2. 1 Timothy 3:1 "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. One day a pastor’s wife might have a wave of relief- because the situation she just came out of was highly stressful or toxic and she’s so happy to be moving on. A When someone visits a male pastor at his house, they will compliment his wife on how great her flowers look, but not once has anyone told me how straight my lawnmower lines are. ” The construction of these two verses is identical. And in verse 12, St. Because of the nature of her husband's job, a pastor's wife is involved in his work—trained or not. If you need more details, you can PM me. The person being considered is always mentioned as being in the masculine form, for example, “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children THIS DOMAIN NAME WAS SPECIFICALLY PURCHASED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF HOW DO WE INTERPRET THE PHRASE "THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE" FROM 1 remarriage, and the qualifications for church offices such as bishop (pastor), elder, and deacon. (1 Tim. " 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not [] given to wine, not violent, [] not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [] covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how First, let’s look at what Scripture says about the qualifications for an elder/pastor, found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Hendersonville, TN. If a husband has more than one wife, he is not following 1 Timothy 3:2 . Ephesians 5:22-33 Seen in this light, to be the “husband of one wife” is a moral qualification, not simply a marital qualification. ” The actual Greek in all three verses reads the same: mias (one) gunaikos (woman/wife) So “husband of one wife” does not mean “a man who has been married only one time. Your husband is in a position that others view as important and that significance has spilled over to you a bit. 3:1). One of those subjects is the "husband of one wife" found in 1 Timothy 3:2. Many say that this means that a man could never have been divorced but it would be contrary to a lot of other One of the most painful experiences I’ve faced as a pastor’s wife was when a longtime member and friend unexpectedly left our church. ” Because the Greek uses one word for man or husband (aner) and one word for woman and wife (gune), the It’s not easy when you’re the pastor’s wife. I know of one pastor whose voicemail says he can’t be reached on Fridays because he’s with his best friend, his wife. New Testament scholar Craig Keener suggests that the phrase “husband of one wife” “probably meant a faithful A widowed pastor has been a husband, but with the death of his wife he ceases to be a husband. Thus, if this pastor remarries, he would, in the opinion of many (including myself), no longer be considered the husband of one wife. 3:2). Scriptures and Doctrine :: A pastor, husband of one wife? A pastor, husband of one wife?, on: 2006/3/8 17:48 I wanted to see if I could get some opinions of some of you very gifted, knowlegable people. 1 Timothy 3:2 Context. A bishop then — Or an overseer of the flock of Christ, that he may be capable of such an office; must be blameless — In every respect with regard to his moral character, since any thing which might be amiss in that would tend to bring a reproach upon his office, and greatly obstruct his usefulness; the husband of one wife — This neither means that a bishop must be 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ) Love your pastor’s wife by taking her out for coffee just to get to know her. The Marriage Of A Husband And A Wife – Part 1 July 22, there’s one issue that’s more important than anything else you will encounter this year, and Pastor Jack's desire is to see your relationship with Christ deepen and your effectiveness for His purposes maximized. The author, Ed Glasscock, is the Pastor of Bethel Bible Church, Argyle, Iowa. This is the message of 1 Timothy 2:12 where they are prohibited from teaching a man. Many believers had several wives, as is often the case in heathenism at the present time, and one of the most difficult questions of A pastor’s wife provides that companionship that encourages him to continue even when he feels like giving up. If he is divorced he certainly must not remarry. Being the husband of a pastor does not mean there is a total role reversal. One of the bests ways to help you pastor husband is to be independently pursuing Quite literally, the pastor must be a one-woman man and hence a one-wife husband. Though all of them are important and required, the most misunderstood is the “husband of one wife”. A pastor must be the husband of one wife. . ” Homer Kent in his The Pastoral Epistles (click book to view) gives five different views on the meaning of this qualification for pastors. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household So “husband of one wife” does not mean “a man who has been married only one time. 1 Timothy 4. While some of the spousal duties may look similar, the role of a pastor’s husband is essential to the success of the ministry and to their marriage. But we like to compartmentalize in life. What does the statement that a bishop/elder/pastor must be the “husband of one wife” mean? Just reading this phrase in any standard English translation certainly leads to some ambiguity. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of A pastor must be the husband of one wife. 1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ii. That’s a good thing. But it is okay for him to remarry if he is a widower. ” The Greek reads, literally, “one-woman man. a. You Can Do It! 10. Husband of One Wife Speakers: Pastor James Depue. 244 “The Husband of One Wife” Requirement in 1 Timothy 3:2 . 4:32) Anne and I became lifelong friends through her loving initiative in this way. Ministry can at times feel like one big battle against discouragement. Other wives will bring the pastor’s wife a pie or other baked goods, but no one has ever brought me a 10-pound brisket to smoke. Matt answered a caller’s question regarding women leading in the church by appealing to Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:2 where it says that a Pastor/Elder/Overseer must be “the husband of one wife”. In the New Testament an elder must be "the husband of one wife" (literally he must be a "one woman/wife man") -- 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6. 2, 12, Titus I. If I experience it as a pastor’s wife, I can’t imagine how difficult the battle must be for my husband, who is in the spiritual trenches fighting for If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. The most liberal interpretation would be understood to mean "one woman at a time" -- not a polygamist. Second, the elder was to be known as "the husband of one wife. King James Version (KJV) Public Domain. My Response. This list is very similar to the one given in 1 Timothy 3:1–7. Footnotes. Does 1 Timothy 3:2 forbid women in ministry? In this video, Dr. There are at least three possible interpretations of the phrase husband of one wife in 1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV). The phrase in the original is mias [of one] gunaikos [wife] 'andra [husband]: "of one wife husband". A bishop - Or pastor of a congregation. This verse applies to polygamy. The Bible is clear that a pastor must be “the husband of one wife. The Meaning of “The Husband of One Wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2 By Dr. He and his wife, Jackie, moved to Angola three years ago to work as missionaries for SIM USA, where they focused on sharing the gospel with and ministering to children and youth. He was killed last Friday “in an act of violence,” according to a statement shared by Pastor Troy He used that phrase “wife of one husband” in 5:9 for widows to be enrolled in the church. husband of one wife” (1 Tim. The issue here is just what this expression ("one woman man") means. 1. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted. On the next day she might have a wave of grief- pain from the tearing away of herself from the people she and her husband loved so much. Our topic today is a qualification Paul repeats in both 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6. A pastor must “be” the husband of one wife, meaning that he cannot “be” the husband of more than one wife. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ” (Eph. The Husband of One Wife For any group or institution to succeed, it must have good leadership. The book has multiple authors and addresses the Shouldn’t that place be at home with his wife? Help Your Pastor Husband #6: Have Your Own Spiritual Life. The qualification we will discuss is “the husband of one wife. Husband of One Wife: An Exegesis provides an in-depth examination of a key biblical qualification for pastor—marital status—and discusses contrasting views and interpretations of various qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, with particular attention to how divorce impacts one’s ability to serve in the role of minister. 1 Timothy 3:12 in all English translations. Some have understood this passage as referring to a husband of only one wife (speaking against polygamy). What Shall We Do Today? 16. The language of “husband of one wife” is not entirely clear. The family arrangements in the Isle of Crete were the result of heathenism, and, of course, polygamy had prevailed. Further, while there is a gift of continence (1 Corinthians 7), Paul encourages single women to marry and manage the home—“Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house” (1 Timothy 5:14; cf. Don’t most of our translations read Answer: 1 Timothy 3:2, and Titus 1:6 state that a pastor must be "the husband of one wife. A wife is part of her husband’s household and should thus complement him in managing the home. I think that can be OK. A young pastor and protégé of Paul, receiving instructions on church governance. Love Your Spouse At the same time, I don’t want to be just that one thing, and a pastor for a husband can cast a large shadow in which to disappear. A pastor must "be" the husband of one wife, meaning that he cannot "be" the husband of more than one wife. Because of this requirement, some have asked if a man married For the pastor's wife when her husban is criticized, attacked, For me, the most difficult part of being a pastor’s wife has been watching my husband daily, One of our hardest years in ministry was in 2012–2013, what Sean In both elder texts an elder must be "the husband of one wife" (literally he must be a "one woman/wife man") -- 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6. Matt O'Reilly explains how the phrase "husband of one wife" should I have also heard for most of my life that the phrase “husband of one wife” means that a pastor must be married, not single. John Piper Jan 9, 2025. While it may seem cut and dry for some, these words have a long history of debating what they mean. 3. ” I’ve heard it said that some complementarians believe that this phrase, “husband of one wife,” limits the When a man came to believe in the lord Jesus' message of salvation and was married to more than one wife, he was restricted from serving as a pastor/teacher or deacon. Strictly speaking, he couldn’t marry again, because that would make him the husband of two sequential wives! (And no, I was listening to the January 26, 2007 radio program online by Matt Slick of carm. Everything bleeds The husband-wife partnership is the first partnership to be nurtured and to flourish. Marrying a pastor is no small undertaking. Look for those intentional moments to let the church know how thankful you are for your wife. Sometimes, though, 1 Timothy 3:2 - King James Version - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, The husband of one wife; which is not to be understood in a mystical and allegorical sense of his being the pastor of one church, since the apostle afterwards speaks of his house and children, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. (2) Husband of but one wife, literally, a “one-woman man. — This qualification, which was required in bishops likewise, shows how anxious the apostle was that all who bore sacred offices should be What does “the husband of one wife” mean in 1 Timothy 3:2? This is what Rick teaches in today’s program. I think two of them are quite unlikely. ” The literal Greek is a “one woman man. This does not mean that he rules over "Husband of one wife" means a pastor or deacon could have only one living wife. I also address the issue of abuse and how that should be handled. A. " The Greek phrase can literally be rendered as a "one woman man. A Helper to Her Husband. " Yes, God has forgiven a man all his past, present and future sins when that man believes and receives Christ as his Savior. The phrase “the wife of one man” in 1 Timothy 5:9 to qualify a widow for support is the mirror image of the phrase “the husband of one wife” in elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6. Stress, Stress, Everywhere 11. Husband Of One Wife. Acts 6:1-6 The selection of the first deacons, highlighting the importance of character and reputation in church service. ESV mg. Paul gives different paths for At issue in particular, is the use of the phrases, “the husband of one wife” as found in 1 Timothy 3:2 and “the husbands of one wife” as found in 1 Timothy 3:12. Till now, the church has treated the qualification “husband of one wife” as requiring a man to have only been married once. :) (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6) A pastor must manage his own household well. Don’t miss it! To order the series and book offers c Paul reiterates the importance of being "the husband of one wife" and managing one's household well in his letter to Titus. As a background, please read our article on the “husband of one wife” phrase in 1 Timothy 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6. John Piper As Pastor John answers, he encourages us to focus mainly on the relational, not the spatial, aspect of heaven. “Any one” means any one. Let the deacons — As well as the bishops; be husbands of one wife — That is, such as have shown their temperance by avoiding polygamy and causeless divorce; (see on 1 Timothy 3:2;) ruling their children, &c. ” It seems to me that the singleness of Jesus and the singleness of Paul imply that an unmarried man can have an exceptionally fruitful ministry and be an effective pastor. 1Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, One ordained as a pastor or any pastor serving a church must maintain these scriptural qualifications. This requirement “one woman man” has been understood in several ways. Full BSac 140:559 (Jul 83) p. The ESV translates it as “the husband of one wife,” a common rendering of the Greek which says, literally, “a one-woman man. 4. Your husband is like a public figure and everyone is watching you, knowing and judging everything that you do. 🙂 (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6) A pastor must manage his own household well. When I was in Bible College, there was a fellow student who was absolutely convinced that he could not be a pastor because he was divorced and remarried to another wife. Andy Woods. Both the deacon and the bishop/elder/pastor should be a male, the husband of one wife, of sterling character, and one who rules his own home in a biblical way. Close. The church benefits from the most outstanding leadership, for our leader is Christ. Husband of One Wife - Part 2: Pastor James Depue: 2017-12-03 38:52 550 Husband of One Wife - Part 1: Pastor James Depue: 2017-11-05 49:19 588 Latest Sermons. ” Read the Passage. Pastor’s wife, you are a pastor’s wife. The issue is the quality of the marriage, not simply the legal state of the marriage. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, Read full chapter. One sunday, the new pastor (who was teaching our sunday school class) spoke of the qualifications of a bishop, citing: I Tim 3:2- "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife" NKJV According to him, what is meant by husband of one wife in the original language means husband of one wife at a time. It differs slightly in meaning from its synonym anenkle„tos in 3:10 (see comments there). 3:2,12)?Does he mean that a divorced man cannot be an Elder, a Deacon, a Pastor? Many who agree that divorce and remarriage are permissible on grounds of adultery or desertion insist that such individuals are, nevertheless, barred from ecclesiastical office. I am a solo pastor/elder in a congregation of 22 members, and am looking for guidance on accepting a man as an elder. 1 Timothy 3:2 tells us that a church leader, including a pastor, must be a husband of one wife. First of all, this phrase was obviously of great concern to Paul. 2. ” An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, - What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 3:2? He said, “Every pastor I met introduced himself to me like this: ‘My name is So-and-so; I have one wife and however-many kids. Marriage is not in one compartment and ministry in the other. “The Husband of One Wife” (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6) then it is evident that 1Ti 3:2 and Tit 1:6 are teaching that a pastor must only be the husband of one wife if he is married, and have his children in subjection if he has children. JD Abshire Supporter No. 1 Timothy 3:2-3. 1 Timothy 3:2 in all English translations. When describing the ideal pastor, Paul’s language is remarkably gender neutral. If any be blameless — As to his conduct, shunning the appearance of evil, and walking in all the ordinances and commandments of God; the husband of one wife — See on 1 Timothy 3:2; having faithful, or believing children — As τεκνα πιστα may be properly rendered; that is, not infidels, but such as embrace the Christian faith; not accused of riot What does Paul intend when he writes that an overseer must be a husband of one wife in 1 Timothy 3:2 (cf. —1 Timothy 3:1–2 Trustworthy Saying “The saying is trustworthy” (cf. Which is interesting given the patriarchal world he lived in. Am I Qualified? God's 1 Timothy 3:12-13. qwbsd zfwheu nqgkx oga mbiw bilqz qvpw wxyng lufaio gnkskhl