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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: Hello Doc I'm not sure I agree with you about "all the rest are very subjective; i.e., "how hospitable?" "how well able to teach?" etc." By todays standards we would consider ourselves hospitable if we tolerate the presence of someone we dislike but during the time of the apostles being hospitable meant showing kindness to strangers, sharing your home with visiters, preparing food for others i.e demonstrating the love of Christ in tangable ways. And the ability to teach had a set standard as well which was understanding the teachings and doctrines set forth by the apostles and being able to spot heresies Titus 1:9 "Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." Just because we today may look at things as being subjective does not mean they were writen with that intention. Blessing to you Aaron |