Springer Road Church of Christ

Important Things to Remember When Considering the Eldership Qualifications
1. They are given for a purpose
2. Appointing unqualified men is dangerous
3. Not appointing qualified men is dangerous
4. Each congregation and Individual is unique
5. Our scope is our congregation
6. We must approach the qualifications humbly

Does an Elder Have to be Married?

Consider that the qualifications are given in the present tense:

1 Timothy 3:2 "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach..."

Titus 1:6 "if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination."

What the Qualifications Says

Various translations render this qualification as:

“the husband of one wife” (ESV, NKJV, KJV, CSB, NASB, MEV, LEB, NET, RSV, ASV)

“faithful to his wife” (NIV, NLT)

“Married only once” (NRSV)

What the Qualifications Says

The Greek can be literally translated as "one-woman man" or "one-wife husband"

(For those interested in the Greek, the actual phrase is mias gynaikos andra)

The phrase is found in reverse order to provide a qualification for widows who can be supported by the Church in 1 Timothy 5:9

Views of "Husband of One Wife"
1. Not Guilty of Polygamy

While polygamy would be prohibited by this qualification, it is unlikely that polygamy is the focus or limitation of this quality.

Views of "Husband of One Wife"
1. Not Guilty of Polygamy
2. Only Marred Once - Period

First, remarriage after the death of a spouse is allowed (cf. Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 7:8-9)

Second, the death of a spouse is outside a man's control and tells us nothing of his ability to lead.

Third, this seems like an unlikely interpretation when we consider Paul's instructions to younger widows in 1 Timothy 5:14.

Views of "Husband of One Wife"
1. Not Guilty of Polygamy
2. Only Marred Once - Period
3. Cannot have been Divorced and Remarried

Jesus does permit the innocent party to remarry in a case of adultery (cf. Mt. 19:9).

Divorce raises many questions, sometimes even about the "innocent" party. These questions may cast doubt on a man's ability and "blamelessness."

In such circumstances, the man and the congregation should proceed prayerfully and carefully.

Views of "Husband of One Wife"
1. Not Guilty of Polygamy
2. Only Marred Once - Period
3. Cannot have been Divorced and Remarried
4. Has been Faithful to His Wife

Views of "Husband of One Wife"
1. Not Guilty of Polygamy
2. Only Marred Once - Period
3. Cannot have been Divorced and Remarried
4. Has been Faithful to His Wife
5. Has Faithfully Fulfilled His Role as Husband

This qualification certainly includes marital fidelity, but it also goes beyond that. A man can be "faithful" to his wife and still not be a godly husband.

The elder should be a man who is not only faithful to his wife but has faithfully obeyed God's commands for husbands in the home.

A Moral Qualification
This is the only moral qualification given for elders. But it is the only one needed, for it reveals much!

Immoral leaders are a danger to the spiritual welfare of the church and a danger to the congregation's reputation.

A Matter of Faithfulness and Order
Few things will tell us more about a man's ability to help and lead others than his home life.

The church is a family and is to be led by proven, family-men.

An Example and a Leader
An elder must be an example and a counselor. How can others follow an immoral man? How can younger married couples trust the counsel of a man who has neglected his own marriage?

When we see a man who has committed to loving his wife as Christ loved the church, we see a man who knows what faithfulness is. He is a man of ethics and morality. He is a man of love. The godly, Christian husband is a man who knows how to lead through serving. Surely, such a man is the type of man we want leading church.