1 Timothy 3:2-3

1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 1 Timothy 3:2 The meaning of husband of one wife is widely debated. The Greek phrase literally states, “of one woman [wife] man [husband].” (1) Many scholars understand this to mean “having the character of a one-woman man,” that is, “faithful to his wife.” A similar phrase is used in 1 Timothy 5:9 as a qualification for widows, where it seems to refer to the trait of faithfulness. (2) Another view is that “husband of one wife” means polygamists cannot be elders. Interpreters who hold this view note that there is evidence of polygamy being practiced in some Jewish circles at the time. According to both of these views, Paul does not say elders may marry only once; he does not prohibit marriage after divorce or the death of a spouse (see 1 Timothy 5:14). (3) A third view is that Paul requires that an elder be someone who has never married more than once. But that does not fit the context as well, since its emphasis is on present character. able to teach. This is the only example in this list of the pastor/elder’s actual duties (see note on Titus 1:9).