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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, |
Subject: Elder must be 'the husband of one wife'? |
Bible Note: It is not a given by any means that a divorced man (or woman either) will necessarily lose their effectiveness in the church and in their personal witness. It depends on the reason for the divorce. I have a friend who is the pastor, and an unusually effective one at that, of a good-sized church. He is highly respected in his church and in his community. A number of years ago, his wife deserted him, their marriage, and their children. He raised the children by himself and they turned out fine. The Lord continued to use this man in His service and uses Him still. Indeed there was disruption and what might be called chaos in this man's life for a season, but he persevered and prevailed, keeping his faith, doing the work the Lord called him to do, and winning in the process the admiration and esteem of his fellow Christian believers. His capacity to lead, his credence in personal counseling, his influence in preaching the gospel and leading sinners to the Savior was not diminished by what befell him. They were, if anything, enchanced by the deep faith and inner strength this man clearly demonstrated by the manner in which he dealt with such a stunning adversity in his life. One would be hard-pressed indeed to find a single verse of Scripture that would justify casting the first stone at this man of God. --Hank |