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NASB | 1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 3:2 Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, |
Bible Question:
I'd like to focus on the phrase "husband of one wife" which is repeated in Titus 1:6. These passages are used as standards, by many, to which men must suitably measure up in order to be eligible for the office of elder. This "husband of one wife" measure is the only item in the list that appears to be very objective, while all the rest are very subjective; i.e., "how hospitable?" "how well able to teach?" etc. The Greek from which these phrases were translated might be, with impunity, rendered "one woman man." I would like to submit for deliberation, very humbly, the suggestion that perhaps this was not intended to be objective but subjective like the other attributes. Perhaps, together, they represent an ideal. Thus, a "one woman man" might be a man who has never in his life loved more than one single woman. The standard would be much higher than the common interpretation. Perhaps in our day we are blinded to other posibilities because divorce and remarriage are such common issues. If you are the member of a tradition that uses these passages to select elders, I'd like to hear your thoughts -- either for or against -- on my suggestion. (By the way, there is precedence in scripture for setting up ideals for the purpose of making the best possible choice among a variety of candidates: Proverbs 31.) [Disclaimer: I am not trying to stir debate. I am not being dogmatic. I am not being speculative. I am not representing a specific theological view point. I am not being critical of a specific theological view point.] |
Bible Answer: Doc, Here are my "two cents" regarding the passages you reference: 1 Tim 3:1-8 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. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. NAS Titus 1:5-9 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. NAS What did Paul mean when he wrote of an elder being the "husband of one wife" and should this change with the norms of society? Addressing the later first, I would offer that since God does not change, those standards must remain unchanged from Paul’s original instruction. Paul’s instruction in both instances refers to men who are currently married to the only wife they have ever known. A single man could dearly love his mother, and be righteous in all other respects, yet he would not meet God’s standard as an elder. Conversely, a man who has been married and divorced has also had two wives. He would also fail to meet the standard. Why would God be so specific? My opinion was His desire for perfection within His church. The primary responsibility of an elder is to protect the congregation. As the church is to be protected from wolves in sheep’s clothing, so must the shepherds prove themselves to be the most capable and experienced men. Secondly, they set the standard for other men to follow, regardless whether those men may ever be elders themselves. They are the role models for the congregation. For contemplation and discussion at a later time, we should also consider these points: -Elders are appointed by the entire congregation with total agreement -Elders exist only where there are at least two qualified men -The children of elders must all be Christians -Elders must have the experience of converting people to the faith -An elder’s household must be run in an orderly manner -Elders must continue to actively teach -An elder’s reputation outside the church must be congruent with that within AO |