Qualifications for Church Leadership -- 3/30/08

Note: I included the Greek text of each verse. Since this program does not provide for a Greek font, the English letters appear. Note that "V" is the final sigma. I decided to leave it rather than remove it.


Sunday, March 30, 2008

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHURCH LEADERS
I Tim. 1:1-13

This morning we are going to take some time to look at the qualifications for church leaders. As most of you know, we are in the process of securing some deacons in this body. Soon Norman and I will be presenting men we believe the Lord would have serve as deacons. Of the things that the New Testament says about deacons, most of it deals with the qualifications. There isn’t a great deal about what the deacons are to do, though the word itself means “servant,” but we are told specifically who can and cannot be a deacon.

Not only do Norman and I need to be familiar with these qualifications, but so does the entire church body. After we have presented these men to you, you will then examine them in light of these qualifications. This study this morning will not be highly exhaustive, but it should acquaint us with the basic qualifications.

Do you know where in the New Testament to find the qualifications for deacons? That’s right, I Timothy 3, beginning in verse 8. Rather than begin in verse 8, I would like to go ahead and start in verse 1, where Paul discusses the qualifications for bishops, or overseers. This section is a unit and I believe we will do well to consider these together. I will use the term “overseer” rather than “bishop” for two reasons. “Overseer” is much more descriptive, as it tells us that this man is to oversee the church. Also, the term “bishop” carries many connotations that do not come from the scripture.

I must also mention that there is another list of qualifications for an overseer in Titus 1. We won’t be going through that list this morning, but I would encourage you to look at it.
So let’s just dive right into I Timothy 3…

1. pistoV o logoV ei tiV episkophV oregetai kalou ergou epiqumei

KJV… “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”
NASV… “It is a trustworthy statement: If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine word he desires to do.”
NIV… “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.”
Ampl… “The saying is true and irrefutable: If any man [eagerly] seeks the office of bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work).”

Note that “this is a true saying.” Literally, “The faithful saying.” This phrase is used five times in the Pastoral Epistles, though the King James translates it “faithful saying” in the other four. It seems that this was a formula to introduce a saying that was well-known to the believers in the early church. That means that it was considered very important. Compare the first of these five, which is found in 1 Tim. 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." We can see that it is important for believers to constantly keep in mind that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. But note that it is also important for them to keep in mind the importance of faithful overseers in the church, along with their qualifications.

The Greek word for “desire” in the phrase “If a man desire” means “to stretch one’s self out in order to touch or grasp something. It speaks of reaching after or desiring something. Now the King James speaks of “the office of a bishop.” That is the translation of a single word, and that word means “oversight.” Paul is speaking more of the work of an overseer rather than an office. If a man desires to do the work of an overseer, he desires a good work. He doesn’t need to be ashamed of that godly desire. It is interesting that in Titus 1, where there is a list of qualifications for overseers, there is nothing about a person desiring this position. There Paul tells Titus to appoint such leaders, and then he gives the qualifications. That means that the initiative may come from the man or from the leadership in the church. But if a man does desire to oversee the flock, he is desiring something that is good and proper.

Why is it a good thing for a man to desire oversight (if this is truly a godly desire, and not the result of selfish ambition)? We can find the answer in a passage such as Acts 20:28, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The overseer feeds the church of God. That is a noble task; it is a good work. These words in Acts 20:28 were actually spoken to the elders of the church in Ephesus. It seems clear that overseer and elder refer to the same office. In this same verse, the word translated “feed” is the verb that means “to shepherd” or “to pastor.” For that reason, we often use the terms overseer (bishop), elder, and pastor interchangeably.

2. dei oun ton episkopon anepilhpton einai miaV gunaikoV andra nhjaleon swjrona kosmion
jiloxenon didaktikon

KJV…"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;"
NASV… “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
NIV… “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,”
Ampl…”Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer” must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be] sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable[showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a capable and qualified teacher,”

Paul does not leave us in the dark concerning qualifications for leadership (I Tim. 3, Tit. 1). These are to be taken very seriously. It is interesting that there are no such qualifications for teachers and evangelists. A person may be a very effective evangelist and not be qualified to be an overseer. The overseer must be of great moral and spiritual character. While there is nothing wrong with a man desiring this work, he must be qualified, and the qualifications begin with this concept of being irreproachable.

Blameless -- not apprehended; that cannot be laid hold of; hence that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure,
irreproachable. (Only here and in I Tim. 5:7; 6:14). [from a + epilambanw]
NIV, NASV, and Amplified all render it “above reproach,” with the Amplified adding “must give no grounds for accu-
sation.”

This is the qualification that heads the list, and that is intentional. It is the overall summary qualification that takes in all the others. Each of the other qualifications must be seen in light of this one. How will failure to meet that particular qualification make it impossible for the man to be considered blameless? An overseer in the Lord’s church must be above reproach. The Greek word that is used here literally means “not taken.” In other words, his reputation must be so spotless that he can’t be taken by the accusations of others. Not only is he not guilty, but there isn’t even reasonable ground for accusation. The list of qualifications in Titus begins with a word (which is also strictly Pauline) which has the same basic meaning. It is the word anegklhtoV, which means “that cannot be called to account, unreprovable, unaccused, blameless.”

This is a high standard. Why? Because the church is the people of God, the body of Christ. It’s reputation is vital for the glory of God. Its leaders must be held to a high standard. If not, the church will be despised and God’s glory will not be seen. Any of us could name numerous examples of that very thing. Paul doesn’t say that it would be nice if overseers were like this. Rather, he says they must be.

After beginning with this overall idea of being above reproach, Paul then gives a long list of specific qualifications. He begins with “the husband of one wife” (miaV gunaikoV andra). This phrase consists of three words in the Greek – “one,” “wife/woman,” and “husband/man.” The Greeks had one word for “wife” and “woman.” The same was true of “husband” and “man.” (By the way, the word for husband/man is not the general word for “man” that we usually find. That is the word anqropoV and speaks of mankind. It can refer to both men and women. The word used here speaks specifically of males). Because these words are a bit flexible, the translations of this three word phrase will vary. In other words, it lends itself to more than one translation. For example, it could legitimately be translated “one-woman man.” As Alexander Strauch (in Biblical Eldership) concisely states, “This is a painfully controversial phrase” (p. 219).

Because this one is rather difficult, we will come back to it last.

Vigilant… The Greek word literally means “wineless.” The big question is whether it is to be taken literally or figuratively. Most take it figuratively (cognate verb regularly used figuratively in the NT). Sober, temperate, implying self-control, clear-mindedness, and freedom from excesses.

Sober… This word is rather difficult to translate into English. It speaks of being of sound mind; curbing one’s desires and impulses. “Prudent” and “self-controlled” are common translations of this word.

You can see that these two words (“sober” and “vigilant”) are closely related in meaning. That is why the Amplified kind of lumps them together: “circumspect and temperate and self-ontrolled.”

Of good behavior… (“respectable” in NASV, NIV). Literally, it means “orderly.” The life of an overseer must be well-ordered, disciplined. This is the good behavior that Paul is speaking of here. Such a life is required to care for the flock of God.

Given to hospitality… This word literally means “lover of strangers.” The overseer must demonstrate this attitude, especially among God’s people. He must go out of his way to love even those who are “not his kind of people,” and even to open his home to them. Though it is not well-known, this is a command given to all Christians. 1 Pet. 4:9 "Use (pursue) hospitality one to another without grudging." The elder must set the example.

Apt to teach… The overseer must be able to teach the Word of God. It is interesting that this is the only qualification that is directly related to the work of the overseer. This demonstrates how important teaching is in the ministry of the overseer.

3. mh paroinon mh plhkthn mh aiscrokerdh all epieikh amacon ajilarguron
KJV…"Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;"
NASV… “Not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money.”
NIV… “Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
Ampl… “Not given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money [insatiable for wealth and ready to obtain it be questionable means].

Not given to wine… Literally, “not beside wine.” It would be difficult to say that this forbids all drinking of wine, but it certainly forbids the addiction to or preoccupation with wine. On the other hand, since deacons are forbidden to given to “much wine,” this is a strong word against the use of wine for the overseer. The application of this principle could easily be extended to other chemical addictions.

No striker… No bruiser, not ready with a blow; not a pugnacious (=having a belligerent nature), contentious, quarrelsome person (Thayer). This is a person who is easily angered and is prone to use physical violence. Such cannot be an overseer, for an overseer must be gentle with the sheep.
Not greedy of filthy lucre… From two words: “base, disgraceful” & “gain.” [This word is in the Received Text, but not in WH or USB. My USB doesn’t even have a note; just excludes it. However, all texts have it in verse 8].

But patient… In KJV, in 3 of 5 uses it is translated “gentle” (as in the other 3 translations here). But the word “gentle” can hardly do it justice. Strauch piles up words to get at its meaning: forbearing, gentle, magnanimous, equitable, peaceable, gracious (p. 228). It is the opposite of the “striker.” This is part of the very character of God, who is “good, and ready to forgive [epeeikh in the LXX], and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee”
(Ps. 86:5). This kind of man possesses God’s pure, peaceable, gently, reasonable, and merciful wisdom (James 3:17).

Not a brawler… Abstaining from fighting; not contentious (Thayer). Only here and in Tit. 3:2. Positively, he is a peaceful man. Fighting in the church is a terrible problem in our day. An overseer must set an example of not being quarrelsome. As Paul tells Timothy in 2 Tim 2:24-25, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"

Not covetous… Literally, “not a lover of silver.” Like most of the other qualifications, covetousness is something against which all Christians are warned (Heb. 13:5; I Tim. 6:10, etc.). An overseer must set an example. There is also the fact that some overseers will receive materially from the church (see I Tim. 5:17-18). In that situation, love of money would be deadly. Note that in this one little verse there are two warnings against love of money (KJV).

4. tou idiou oikou kalwV proistamenon tekna econta en upotagh meta pashV semnothtoV

KJV… "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;"
NASV… “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.”
NIV… “He must manage his own family well and see that is children obey him with proper respect.”
Ampl… “He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful.”

Now Paul comes back to the family again. He has already said that the overseer must be husband of one wife (one-woman man). Now he turns his focus upon the children. Nothing is said about the wife, but it is obvious that the husband and wife should be pursuing this goal together.

This word (proisthmi) means “to be over, to superintend, to preside over.” NASV and NIV use the word “manage,” probably to distance the idea of ruling with an iron hand. As he is gentle with the church of God, so he must be with his own family. Nevertheless, his children are to be in subjection to his leadership.

The term “with all gravity” is kind of hard to get hold of. Thayer says of this word translated “gravity,” “that characteristic of a person or thing which entitles to reverence or respect; dignity, gravity, majesty, sanctity.” Again, there is no harshness about that. This involves more than just making sure the kids mind. The overseer’s children submit to him out of deep respect.

5. ei de tiV tou idiou oikou prosthnai ouk oiden pwV ekklhsiaV qeou epimelhsetai

KJV… "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"
NASV… “(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)”
NIV… “(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)”
Ampl… “For if a man does not know how to rule his own house\hold, how is he to take care of the church of God?”

The home is the proving ground for the work within the church. This man has been given these children as a gift from God. He has great responsibility toward them. If he can’t perform that responsibility in the home, then how will be able to properly care for the people in the Lord’s church.

6. mh neojuton ina mh tujwqeiV eiV krima empesh tou diabolou

KJV… "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."
NASV… “and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”
NIV… “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”
Ampl… “He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did.”

“Novice” translates a compound word: new & plant. It refers to one who is newly planted. We take our English word “neophyte” directly from this Greek word. Paul is speaking of a recent convert. Praise God for new converts, but no new convert is ready to be an overseer in the Lord’s church. Strauch insightfully shares: “A new Christian does not know his own heart or the craftiness of the enemy, so he is vulnerable to pride—the most subtle of all temptations and most destructive of all sins.”

Note the reference to the devil. Let’s have our mind refreshed about the pride of Lucifer. Read Is. 14:12-15…
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
If Lucifer was tripped up by pride, how likely men are to do the same. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).

7. dei de auton kai marturian kalhn ecein apo twn exwqen ina mh eiV oneidismon empesh kai pagida tou diabolou

KJV… "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
NASV… “And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
NIV… “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”
Ampl… “Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap.”

The word translated “report” (“reputation”) is “marturia,” from which we get “martyr.” David Witt has shared with us how this is the word that means “witness” or “testify.” In short, Paul is saying that an overseer must have a good testimony outside the church. That does not mean that everyone outside the church likes him. By no means. It does mean that he has a testimony that commands respect. This goes right along with the idea of being without reproach. Perhaps that is why it is placed last, even as “beyond reproach” is placed first.

Since all believers are to bear a good testimony before the world (I Thes 4:11-12; Tit. 2:5,8; I Pet. 2:12,15; 3:16), it is doubly important that an overseer have such a testimony. People in the world are watching Christians, especially Christian leaders.

The devil is mentioned again, but this time it isn’t about the devil falling into condemnation. Here it is the devil who is setting a trap for the would-be church overseer who does not have a good reputation with those outside the church.

8. diakonouV wsautwV semnouV mh dilogouV mh oinw pollw prosecontaV mh aiscrokerdeiV

KJV…"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"
NASV… “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongues, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.”
NIV… “Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.”
Ampl… “In like manner the deacons [must be] worthy of respect, not shifty and double-talkers but sincere in what they say, not given to much wine, not greedy for base gain [craving wealthy and resorting to ignoble and dishonest methods of gaining it].”

Grave… This word speaks of a certain seriousness. You see that other translations render it “men of dignity,” “men worthy of respect.” The deacon is not a man who is “happy go lucky.” He has a certain calm dignity about him.

Not double-tongued… He must not be the kind of man that says one thing to one person and another thing to another person. Rather, he is a man whose word can be trusted. He is a man who demonstrates integrity of speech.
*You will notice that these two qualifications are unique to deacons, as they were not mentioned in regard to overseers.

Not given to much wine… A man who has a drinking problem cannot be a deacon, pure and simple. [Contrast with the qualification for overseer – “not given to wine”].

Not greedy of filthy lucre… Not fond of dishonest gain. This was a qualification for overseers (vs. 3, Received Text). This is extremely important for the deacon, because one of his tasks is that of benevolence. He will be dealing with money and must have integrity in this area.

9. econtaV to musthrion thV pistewV en kaqara suneidhsei

KJV… "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."
NASV… “but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”
NIV… “They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.”
Ampl… “They must possess the mystic secret of the faith [Christian truth as hidden from ungodly men] with a clear conscience.”

What is “the mystery of the faith”? “Mystery,” which is used a number of times by Paul, refers to a revealed secret. It wasn’t know in the past, but now it has been made known through the work of the Holy Spirit. “The faith” refers to the truths of Christian doctrine. So “the mystery of the faith” refers to revealed Christian truth. The deacon must hold on to that revealed truth with a clear conscience. In other words, his life and doctrine must match up. To fail to live the faith he embraces will defile his conscience and will eventually be a bad testimony, bringing disgrace upon the Lord’s church.

10. kai outoi de dokimazesqwsan prwton eita diakoneitwsan anegklhtoi onteV
KJV… "And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless."
NASV… “And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”
NIV… “They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”
Ampl… “And let them also be tried and investigated and proved first; then, if they turn out to be above reproach, let them serve as deacons.”

Before a man serves as a deacon, he must be proved, tested, examined. The word translated “proved” was sometimes used of men who were examined before taking public office. Notice the word “also.” This may refer back to overseers. In other words, as an overseer must be examined (see I Tim. 5:24-25), so must a deacon. Once the man has been tested and approved, then let him serve as a deacon.

Notice that he must be found blameless. This corresponds to the qualification of an overseer in verse 2. While this word in verse 10 is a different word, it has about the same meaning. After being examined, if there is no justifiable accusation against the man, he may serve as a deacon.
Notice too that there are no specifics given as to how these men are to be examined. Unlike the regulations of the Old Testament, the Spirit-inspired writers of the New Testament did not give long lists of specifics in such areas. Each local church is given a great deal of freedom in how it will carry out such things. You will recall that we have already decided on a plan for such examination. After Norman and I put forth the names of the men we believe the Lord would have serve as deacons, then you will have two weeks to bring to us any concerns you have about the biblical qualifications of those men. The key is “biblical qualifications.” No other concerns will be considered.

11. gunaikaV wsautwV semnaV mh diabolouV nhjaleouV pistaV en pasin

KJV… “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.”
NASV… “Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips; but temperate, faithful in all things.”
NIV… “In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in evertything.”
Ampl… “[The] women likewise must be worthy of respect and serious, not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.”

There are some who say that this is not talking about the wives of deacons, but about women who serve as deacons (deaconesses). Remember that the word translated “wives” can just as legitimately be translated “women” (As the NASV and Amplified translate it here). However, since the word “deacon” isn’t used with respect to these women/wives and because of what follows concerning the deacons being the husbands of one wife, I believe Paul is indeed speaking of the wives of deacons. Since a deacon is a servant of the body of Christ, it stands to reason that his wife would serve alongside him. With that in mind, the character of his wife must also be considered in his qualifications.

Grave… We have already seen this as a qualification for the man. His wife likewise must be grave, dignified, given to a certain seriousness.

Not slanderers… The word translated “slanderers” is the plural of the “devil” (diabolos). The devil is the chief slanderer of all. NASV translates it “malicious gossips.” We can understand how a wife who slandered others would greatly hinder the work of her deacon husband. Positively, this is a woman who controls her tongue and speaks lovingly and wisely.

Sober… This word was used of overseers in verse 2, but was there translated “vigilant.” The wife of the deacon must be self-cntrolled and clear-minded.

Faithful in all things… This must be a woman who is dependable. Notice that she must be faithful in all things. She is to be faithful in every aspect of her life. We could say that this last qualification is the most far-reaching and gathers up the others. She is to be faithful to God, faithful to her husband and family, faithful in the body of Christ.

12. diakonoi estwsan miaV gunaikoV andreV teknwn kalwV proistamenoi kai twn idiwn oikwn

KJV… “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”
NASV… “Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.”
NIV… “A deacon must be the jusband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.”
Ampl… “Let deacons be the husbands of but one wife, and let them manage [their] children and their own households well.”

Now we have another qualification that parallels that of the overseers. He is to be the husband of one wife and he is to manage his household well.

13. oi gar kalwV diakonhsanteV baqmon eautoiV kalon peripoiountai kai pollhn parrhsian en pistei th en cristw ihsou
KJV… "For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
NASV… “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
NIV… “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.”
Ampl… “For those who perform well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and also gain much confidence and freedom and boldness in the faith which is [founded on and centers] in Christ Jesus.”

Paul wraps up his discussion of deacons with this verse. Perhaps we have a tendency to question why the high qualifi-cations for a deacon. After all, the role of the deacon isn’t as important as that of the overseer, so why such stringent qualifi-cations? Because the man who serves well as a deacon obtains a high standing. That is, he attains a place of honor and influence in the church.

Just as a man who desires to serve as an overseer desires a good work, so the man who serves well as a deacon obtains a high standing, a place of honor and influence. He even gains great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. I don’t know all that means, but surely it speaks of the deacon becoming an even greater servant for the glory of God. Perahps it speaks of his great freedom in sharing the gospel. At any rate, this verse tells us that the role of a deacon is very important. On the other hand, this high standing and great boldness in the faith is only true of the deacon who serves well.
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Now let’s come back to “the husband of one wife,” which is a qualification for an overseer, as well as for a deacon. Because Paul didn’t give a detailed explanation of this little phrase, it has been interpreted in different ways. On the one hand, some would take it so strictly that they would forbid a man from leadership in the church if his wife died and he remarried. At the other extreme, there are those who would allow a deacon or overseer to selfishly divorce his wife and continue on in the office.

Many of us grew up in a tradition that forbids the office of overseer or deacon to any man who has divorced and remarried. The strength of this interpretation is that it takes marriage seriously. However, it also has weaknesses. Let me mention what I consider the greatest weaknesses. As you look down through this list of qualifications for overseers and deacons, you find that the emphasis is upon character. The only exception might be “apt to teach,” but even that has degrees of variation; some are better teachers than others. I emphasize again that these qualifications focus upon character.

But then we come to “the husband of one wife.” If it simply means that a man be married to only one wife during his lifetime, then it becomes the only qualification (other than “apt to teach”) that doesn’t deal with character. There is no matter of degree; either a man has had more than one wife or he hasn’t. Let me illustrate. Over twenty years ago we were considering a man as a deacon. I was meeting with the men who were currently deacons, and the name of this other man came up. So that left us with only one thing to do. One of the current deacons said, “I’ll find out if he’s been divorced.” It turns out that he had been divorced and he was therefore not considered qualified to be a deacon. Basically, nothing else was considered. Since he was an upstanding man, if he had not been divorced and remarried, he would have been a deacon. In too many cases this has been the only qualification seriously considered. A man might be covetous or quick-tempered, but it doesn’t matter, as long as he hasn’t been divorced.

The other problem with this interpretation is that it doesn’t go far enough. Suppose a man has been married only once in his lifetime. Does that mean that he meets this qualification? I think not. Let’s suppose we are considering a man named Jack to be a deacon. Jack has been married only once, but he flirts with other women. Is that a problem? Of course, that’s a problem. The man doesn’t live up to this qualification. He is not a “one-woman man.” This qualification cannot be adequately considered by simply looking at a man’s marital history.

I confess to you that this is a thorny issue. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do believe that this has more to do with a man’s faithfulness to his wife than with his marital history. Of course, if a man has been divorced and remarried, that may indeed be a problem. It may say something about the man’s view of marriage. But rather than immediately ruling a man out because he has been divorced and remarried, I suggest we look at his specific case and try to determine if he can still be a man above reproach.

Conclusion

I encourage you to keep these qualifications in mind as we examine men we are considering to be deacons. As you read through the qualifications, you will probably find it helpful to read them in another translation or two.

Now I need to share something else with you. I have a very definite reason for going through the qualifications for overseer. Norman and I have been praying about what men should be deacons in this congregation. As we were considering a number of men, something became very apparent to me. There were two of the men we were considering that were different. I don’t mean they were better, but they were different. It occurred to me that these two men were more fitted to being overseers than deacons.

Therefore, unless the Lord leads otherwise, when we present deacons to you, we will also be presenting two more men for overseers/elders. If you would like to give us some feedback along these lines, we would welcome that feedback. This was not our original intention, but it has become increasingly clear in our minds that this is the Lord’s intention.

Let’s continue to pray that God will guide us, as He builds His church.