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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: pastor having one wife |
Bible Note: justme, the easy question you ask is NASU. New American Standard Update. updated NASB For comments on some of the issues read the other threads for 1 Tim 3:2. "Does when one makes Jesus Lord have any barring?" I think you mean that if one was divorced then became a believer would they qualify as a pastor? The answer depends why you ask. If you are considering becoming a pastor and have been divorced then you should first look at all the other things in these lists and if still interested then read some full discussions of the issue. Talk a lot with your wife and your spiritual mentors. It is a pity that entering the ministry might be decided on without face to face friends. If you’re a church leader considering the employment of a pastor then deeper study than this forum is needed. It must be done with all of the leadership. If you’re a member of a church with a pastor who you question has Godly authority then talk to the leadership about the scripture. If you, in the end of your personal study and devotion, decide that God wants only undivorced men with proven children and a living wife with a perfect reputation by all in the community to be pastors then I have plenty more I would like to sayJ Finally, if you are a God lover who wants to know then read what you can and want. When the issue becomes personal then do the study again. Christianity is not a theory. “qualifications or of Characteristics that are required?” Our world is not perfect- and neither are we! Fear God and keep his commands. Only you can prayerfully decide how you will apply the passages. I do want to comment on one thing though. Another post pointed out that this passage is talking about “elders”. I think that the popular use of pastor to refer to the preaching minister is unfortunate. My conclusion is that “pastors” in the N.T. were local men chosen by their own congregation to be its leaders. Reasoning in this way the passages under consideration are talking about local leadership not hired ministers. Since the office of the hired minister as we know it today did not exist in N.T. times we are left to do our God-fearing best to apply principles that scripture does reveal. The highest standard for the most public and influential officer in the church makes sense to me. In this long post I have one other observation. All, or perhaps all but one, of the requirements of elders and deacons are given as teaching to be followed by all Christians. I don’t have that study list handy but it is interesting to note. |