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NASB | Titus 1:6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 1:6 namely, a man of unquestionable integrity, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of being immoral or rebellious. |
Subject: The husband of only one wife? |
Bible Note: Part Three, Continued. The common reaction to that story is much more stifled. It suggests, "What a pity that the Lord cannot use fully a person with such a powerful testimony!" This attitude makes divorce the only unforgivable sin, and it appears to me to be a parallel to Jesus' experience with the Pharisees and Paul's experience with the Judaizers. The second aspect of our practicle situation grows out of some convictions on how the Lord aperates. I believe that He inspired Paul in writing of! Timothy. (I am fully aware of the problems, critical and practical, that this statement will cause many people) I believe also in called ministry (leadership). (This fact underscores the importance of seeing the unity of the standards Paul set out for pastors and for deacond and elders.) Too, I believe that the Lord does not "stomble over his own feet, I cannot conceive of this kind of situation: The Lord set out a condition that automatically makes men in-eligible to serve as spiritual leaders; yet he keeps calling men who are inthat condition to accept such responsibilities. Therefore I believe that the nature of people's past and present experiences with God make impossible for all the following statements to be true; one must be false: (1) The lord inspired (gave active spiritual guidance in) the writing of! Timothy. (2) Mias gunaikos andra was intended to be translated and interpreted in the traditional way. (3) The Lord is still calling into the service of spiritual leadership men who have been divorced. Every person will have to choose which of the three he thinks is false. I have already affirmed number (1). As a result of dealing with numerous divorced men whose lives attest the reality of a call to some form of special spiritual ministry, I feel number (3) must be true. Therefore I must believe that number (2) is false. Some Christians can toss number (1) aside; so they can accept both (2) and number (3) with no problem. Some may even feel that any direct, personal call to ministry is a figment of the imagination. So each will have to work through this problem in light of his own view of inspiration and the way God deals with his people, as well as his view of how to interpret scripture. But one must never assume that the problem is not serious. It is a vital focal point in matters of both standards for personal, moral living and the bonds of fellowship in our churches. So deal with issue as thoroughly, carefully, and prayerfully as possible. Sometimes it may be necessary to follow Paul's admonition that grew out of a parallel problem in his time, eating food offered to idols. Some people's viwe is so bound by a kind of legalism that they cannot comprehend a departure from their strict standards. Paul saw such people as "weak in the faith," although true believers in Christ. He counseled those who saw things at a higher level to deal considerately with such weakness (see Romans 14; 1 Cor. 8-10). Such graciousness may mean that a man spiritually qualified to serve in some capacity may forego the opportunity, at least temporarily, for the benefit of those who are truly weak in the faityh, thus keeping strong the ties of fellowship in the church. R\Thus, too, is a form of ministering in God's grace anong those who must be served. This has taken many years to collect my thoughts, and put them together in a understandable way, to the best of my ability. Nothing is ever orginal and many sources have I used to gather my thoughts. Seminary was also a place for gathering this into a work that I thank so many for extending to me clearer understanding on such a serious subjest. A special acknowledgement to Dr. William Coble, who is now with the Lord, without him I would be of "weak faith". With blessings I send this in the hopes others my also search their hearts for better understanding. justme |