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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: Does "the husband of one wife" in this verse mean one wife at a time or only one wife (never divorced and remarried)? |
Bible Answer: Dear PSP, and fellow posters to this question, I see that this issue has divided into two poles, both of which seem off-Center to me. One side is the 'Absolute Literal Interpretation' side, and the other is the 'Broad and Kind-of-Vague Interpretation' side. I like the word 'off-Center' (Ray, take note of the capitalization :-) because it describes this, and several other recent issues on this Forum. Walking close to (with) Jesus is our goal, and the Holy Spirit is our Guide. Scripture teaches in so many places that God is sovereign, and that strict and absolute adherance to 'rules' is not the point of His commandments. The grace of God has made allowance for man's deviation from perfection many times in the Bible. The problem is that man has a tendency to either disallow that grace, or depend upon it, both negating God's sovereignty. Returning to this particular thread: Yes, I think it is safe to say that God wants shepherds to be men, husbands and fathers, and not divorced or a widow(er). Does this mean that women can never be ministers? No. Does it mean that they must be married? No. Does it mean that they must have children? No. Does it mean that they can never be divorced? No. Does it mean that their spouse can never die? No. It means that God has given us a pattern, a 'holy preference' for His will, but that He will call whomever He calls. Our job on this earth is to obey His patterns first, but always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to discern the workings of grace and specific Divine Purpose. We cannot, therefore, say, "Women can be shepherds, as well as singles and divorcees." That would overstep grace, and fall into abuse, or the manipulation of grace. (Frankly, the widow(er) issue sounds crass. Though it might be said that it takes two to divorce, God decides the hour of death, not the spouse) My answer: If the question is specifically about ministry for those re-married after divorce, then it is outside of God's general pattern, but possible in the grace of our Lord. Many denominations forbid this, so said person would have to leave the church (if it is God's calling, worth it) or fight the church (which cannot be God's will). Other variations are answered above. In Christ Jesus, charis |