I agree with you. Husband of one wife doesn't mean that pastors have to be married. Husband of one wife means someone who doesn't struggle with adultery, someone who is not a player, someone who is not a womanizer, etc. When the Bible mentions how pastors need to manage their household well, it doesn't mean they have to have children. Pastors are not required to have kids, but they are required to be good parents if they have kids. The main qualifications for being a pastor are being able to teach the Bible well, being able to lead a church well, and having great Christian character.
First of all the definition of an Elder := An elder means an EXAMPLE in life. How is he an example ? because of his Maturity. How did he attain maturity ? by being transformed into Christ likeness. So brothers please apply the above explanation for the context, Because being an example would fetch more people into faith and to stand in it and follow Christ. That is OVERSEEING a church, what Apostle Paul wanted. If somebody marries, remarries and plays around with his family, then how can he oversee the church of God, as people would follow his wrong example... The compromise on these have caused people to stumble more... think about it.....
I do believe how it's not a sin for single people to be pastors. Many people think 1 Timothy 3 explains how single people shouldn't be pastors due to one of the qualifications of being a pastor being the husband of one wife. Husband of one wife doesn't mean that pastors have to be married. The Greek for husband of one wife means one woman man, someone who doesn't cheat on their spouse if they are married, someone who doesn't commit adultery, etc. When the Bible says how pastors have to be the husband of one wife, it means that pastors need to be people who do not commit adultery. Paul and Timothy were pastors of churches, and Paul and Timothy were never married, which proves how it's not a sin for single people to be pastors. The point of 1 Timothy 3 is about the qualifications of being a pastors. According to 1 Timothy 3, pastors need to be able teach the word in a way people can understand, lead a church well, and have good character such as a good temperament, being honest, being trustworthy, being spiritually mature, not someone who commits adultery, someone who's a good parent if they have kids (pastors aren't required to have kids, but pastors are required to be good parents if they have kids), be a good role model, etc.
There is a very similar verse for deacons, 1 Tim 3:12. I feel like these verses are pretty clear and straightforward to say that single men (or any women) are not eligible for this office. I think your argument for those men that have divorced or widowed but then later remarried would be subject under their current situation and possibly still eligible, so long as they meet the other qualifications. I've seen many scenarios that elders and deacons have to deal with that having the experience of being a husband (and father) would be very beneficial and allow them a valuable perspective that I believe a single man could not offer. In 1 Tim 3:4-5 it talks about his ability to manage his household and keeping his children submissive. I would ascribe the same interpretation here that the man wanting to be an elder or deacon should not only be married but also be a father.
So, just to be clear, you were saying that you would choose someone who has never had a divorce, but you would choose someone who was possibly a murderer in their past to be a leader in a church? Just making sure I’m understand.
Observation 7 is biblical. The inerrant Word of God tells us that when the old man dies and you are reborn as the new man, God forgives ALL of your sins, casting them away as far as the east from the west. This is scripture. Man, of course only the Pharisees group, falsely interpret that a past divorce is an unforgivable sin. These men are circumventing the mercy and grace of God, nullifying The Cross. Imagine if they had been there with Barnabas and Saul, they would have denied Saul/Paul and the works of Jesus. Read the scripture, stand on the mercy, grace and ever loving kindness of God, not following the law of man, but follow the faith in Jesus and the cleansing application of His blood.
Davidjoel Sostre is it one wife at a time, or only one wife? Do you have to be married to be a deac? What about former spouses with children you don’t see anymore, but they are living right because of the step parent? How about a married couple who can’t have children? Even for those who can read this raises questions.
Davidjoel Sostre because I’m divorced, and do sound. So should I even be doing sound, since I’m not married? Titus 1:6 says you must have believing children as well. I never had children. So it’s an actual question for me. So the question remains do you need a current living wife you are not divorced from, live with in whatever a good marriage looks like with children who are also considered good faithful children? Because if that’s the case then I can’t help in the church correct? Because here’s the thing I don’t have any regrets about the divorce. She wanted and demanded an open marriage and I said no, after marriage counseling we decided to continue the divorce. She got remarried a few weeks later. I gave them a wedding gift. I’m glad it’s over. So I can’t say I’m “repentant”. We haven’t been part of each other’s lives for a decade now, and it’s great. I live alone and I’m happier than I was ever married. So perhaps I don’t qualify for service, but then what’s the point if you can’t serve God?
