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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: A divorced pastor in ministry? |
Bible Note: Ed, you are correct, you did back your assertion with this list. If the qualifications aren't met, they aren't eligible, period. There is nothing on the list that is an automatic disqualifier to someone who has been divorced. One of my best friends ( a Vietnam vet) was married a couple years when he was very young. He has since been married 20yrs plus to the same woman and their marriage is exemplary in every way, one people look to as a model, your list doesn't apply to him. As for divorce being a disgrace you might want to get a wider perspective. The church for much of its history considered it a disgrace to NOT get divorced from and unfaithful spouse. See below. RG "In fact, among the Jews of the time divorce on the grounds of adultery was not simply permitted- it was required." ( Leon Morris, PNTC The Gospel According to Matthew p. 484 ) 122. "The penalty for proven adultery, when the capital punishment was abolished, was mitigated into the divorce of the woman (the husband having no other option)" (Israel Abrahams, Studies in Pharisaism and the Gospels, 1st ser. [rpt. New York, 1967], p. 74) So also G. F. Moore, Judaism, II [Cambridge, 1958], p. 125). The Mishnah provides that if a woman was found "..unchaste... he may not continue [his union] with her" (ketub 3.5). Bockmuehl cites Qumran and other evidence that "adultery (and rape) requires divorce" (NTS, 35 [1989], p.295). See also Mishnah, Sota 5:1. Footnote from PNTC on Matthew by Morris p. 21 "to retain the adulterous Person is scandalous (as in the Primitive Church it was esteemed so in Clergymen)"- [ from The Worthy Communicant by Bishop Jeremy Taylor Chap. 4 ] |