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NASB | 1 Timothy 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. |
Subject: can a women be a bishop |
Bible Note: Dear Pastor Beja, My own position would make it specific to the church relative to leadership over men; my wife tends to extend it to all parts of society. Historically, John Knox took the latter position (see his polemic work, "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women" of 1558). When asked this very question, regarding the authority of women beyond the church, John Calvin wrote, “I frankly answered that because it was a deviation from the primitive and established order of nature, it ought to be held as a judgment on man for his dereliction of his rights just like slavery -- that nevertheless certain women had sometimes been so gifted that the singular blessing of God was conspicuous in them, and made it manifest that they had been raised up by the providence of God, either because He willed by such examples to condemn the supineness [unwillingness to stand up and assume responsibility of leadership] of men, or thus show more distinctly His own glory. I here instanced Huldah [2 Kings 22:14] and Deborah [Judges 4 and 5].” With all due respect to Knox, I believe he was presumptuous on God's purposes. In the end, it was a position that Knox came to regret, and has caused no end of unnecessary contention both inside and outside of the church. I think what we have in the Word is explicit instruction for the church. I do know of contemporary examples where women are allowed to teach in the church, provided their doctrine has been pre-authorized and monitored by the elders. This practice would seem to me to be in keeping with the spirit of the commands of Scripture. (This latter position, for example, is consistent with our friend Kay Arthur's teaching.) I wonder what the church would look like if women put as much effort into Titus 2:3-5 as they have done in trying to usurp masculine roles. In Him, Doc |