1 Timothy 3:12

“Deacons must be husbands of only one wife”: This would exclude the single man. Some view this as meaning that the deacon cannot be. polygamist, but polygamy is something that would have been ceased at conversion with any Christian (1 Corinthians 7:1; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:9).

“Is the Deacon still qualified after his wife dies?” (a) The like expression “the wife of one man” (1 Timothy 5:9) is used when it is clear that the “one man” is dead. And yet the word “widow” in the passage tells us that we must interpret “the wife of one man” as meaning “having been the wife of one man”. In fact, in this passage she cannot have. living husband to qualify as. widow indeed. Thus it is the context that will determine whether the deacon's wife must be presently living. All the other qualifications (dignity, not double-tongued..) are qualities that the deacon must currently demonstrate to remain qualified. The question is not, “did he at one time demonstrate this in his life”, rather, the question is, “does he presently possess these attributes?” If we feel that the phrase “having been” can be added to “husbands of only one wife”, then why can't it be added to the rest of the qualifications? “Does this qualification exclude men who have been Scripturally married more than once?” Certain translators felt that it does, Goodspeed renders this verse “must be only once married”. Others include “one wife's husband” (Ber); “must have only one wife” (Wms). Arndt and Gingrich in their Greek-English Lexicon render this phrase, “the husband of only one wife or. husband married only once” (p. 231).. am told the expression means literally, “a one woman man”. It is only fair to consider the arguments on the other side since we don't want to unnecessary exclude any man from this office based on some human opinion. In the past. heard it argued that 1 Timothy 5:9 proves that the expression “wife of one man” or its reverse, “husband of one wife” allows for more than one marriage. The argument is as follows: “Paul wouldn't have told younger widows to marry (1 Timothy 5:14) if that would have disqualified them from receiving support from the Church in their old age”. The argument sounds good until we take the following factors into consideration: (a) The church can support any widow who is need, as well as any other Christian (Acts 2:45). (b) Paul gave advice to virgins that would have excluded them from the widow-indeed category (1 Corinthians 7:25). Therefore to argue that Paul would have never given instructions to women which would later exclude them from the widow indeed category is not true. Some have argued that if your mate dies and you marry again, or if they commit adultery and you put them away, you are still the husband of one wife. Some interpret the verse, “one wife at. time within the bounds of Scripture.” In response. believe it is fair to note: (a) God is specific. God didn't say “a married man” or. “husband”. Rather He said. “one” woman man. (b) “at. time” isn't found in the text. Therefore,. don't believe that. could prove that the text could accommodate such. view. c) 1 Timothy 5:9 seems to make an even stronger case for the idea that the deacon can only be married once. First of all, women with. plurality of husbands were very rare indeed, so that can't be the reason why the qualification was given. Secondly, even after the marriage is over, she is still called “the wife of one man”. Before we move on let us also consider something else . The one woman man is. man who is dedicated to his wife. She is an extremely important person in his life. She is his one and only. He has. strong marriage, he doesn't have eyes that wander (Matthew 5:28).

1 Timothy 3:12 “good managers”: Means literally, to stand before, to lead, attend to (indicating care and diligence) (Vine p. 307). Being at the head of, presiding over. “fitly ruling” (Con); “fitly, appropriately, in the right way” (Arndt p. 401). Points to Note: 1. He is the spiritual leader of his home (Genesis 18:19; Joshua 2:15). This is. man who is truly implementing the instructions found in Ephesians 6:4 “And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”. 2. He rules well, “admirable managers of their children and of their own homes” (Ber); “presiding well over their children and their own houses” (ABUV). On the one hand he is not. permissive and careless father, on the other hand neither is he cruel or unreasonable. He has learned how to guide his household without yelling or constantly threatening. He does not preside by force or intimidation.

1 Timothy 3:12 “of their children'”: As far as. know most would concede that. deacon can be qualified having only one child. The reason for this is that “deacons” (plural) are to have “children” (plural). The distributive usage allows for the singular (See Ephesians 6:4). The father of one child has as much obligation in raising that child in the admonition of the Lord as the father with more than one child.

In contrast to the qualifications of elders, nothing is said about the deacon's children being Christians. The statement “good managers” would infer that the children are in subjection to their father and are well behaved. Since the deacon is. man who has first been “tested” (1 Timothy 3:10), it seems logical that his children, although they might not be old enough to become Christians, they still have to be old enough for people to see they are well-behaved, and respect their father's authority.

1 Timothy 3:12 “and their own households”: This may mean whoever else might be in the family (servants, inlaws, and so on). The thought seems to be that everyone under his roof respects his position as head of the family. He is not the man who runs and hides from responsibility, and neither is he the type of man who insists that his wife handle all the problems with the children. This man is involved in the lives of his children and is. true manager of his household. In addition,. believe the above verses and this verse make it clear that the deacon's wife is in subjection. The real power in the family isn't his wife. This is not the type of man that would cause you to wonder, “If we appoint him, are we in reality appointing his wife or mother-in-law?