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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: A short time ago there was a debate on whether one must be married to be the leader of a church. For those of you who believe that one must be married to be in a leadership role I ask this: Was Paul married? |
Bible Answer: The first thing I believe we should bear in mind, in considering points such as these, is that the gospel is the perfect law of "liberty" (James 1:25) and that the letter of the law kills, but the spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6). Holding these truths in good conscience empowers us to rightly divide the Word of Truth without falling into legalism. I do not believe Paul is insisting on an "overseer" being married. Let us remember that this is the man who wrote: Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am [ie. unmarried]...But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. (I Corinthians 7:7,8) In advising that an "overseer" be the husband of one wife, he is surely breaking away from Old Testament times, when women were viewed more as possessions of the household, and men might marry as many (like Solomon!) as they chose. I believe this is a define limitation as opposed to an ordinance to marry. However, that is not to say that there are on definite and obvious benefits from marriage for a church leader. I respectfully submit this post to the forum. |