Note 4 at 1 Tim. 3:2: As Paul made his final trip to Jerusalem (Acts 20-21) he called all the elders of the Ephesian church together for a conference (Acts 20:16-38). During this meeting he said that after his departure, wolves would come into the church and seek to destroy the work he had founded (Acts 20:29-30).

Because of this, Paul gave Timothy very stringent requirements for the bishops and deacons of the Ephesian church. This was to prevent or limit the damage leaders could do. These qualifications discourage some who would aspire to these offices, but they were mainly for the benefit of the church as a whole. Leaders who were novices or lacked these character requirements would be susceptible to pride; therefore, would be easy prey for the devil. Individual desires need to be set aside for the good of the church as a whole.

Note 5 at 1 Tim. 3:2: The word "must" was translated from the Greek word DEI which means, "it is necessary" (Linguistic Key to the Greek N.T./Rienicker). Rienicker goes on to say, "The word speaks of logical necessity according to the binding needs of the circumstances." This could be significant when interpreting the following qualifications of bishops and deacons such as being the husband of one wife (see note 6 at this verse).

Note 6 at 1 Tim. 3:2: A bishop must be blameless, that is, above reproach. This does not mean he must be perfect or has never done anything wrong, but it does mean he must strive to be godly, righteous and to make any wrongs right. The Greek word for "blameless" is ANEPILEPTOS and literally means "cannot be laid hold of" (Thayer). It is also translated by the English word "unrebukeable" (1 Tim.6:14). In other words a bishop must have a good reputation.

Note 7 at 1 Tim. 3:2: There has been much controversy in the body of Christ over the interpretation of these qualifications for bishops and deacons, and there is not a consensus of opinion on this issue. Probably the most controversial of all the qualifications is this first one: the bishop is to be "the husband of one wife."

First, if the bishop is to be the husband of one wife, then many believe this eliminates women from the position of pastor. Others believe this interpretation is too strict, and is no different from other passages where the male gender is used to refer to mankind, male and female included. There are scriptural examples of women in ministry, but not specifically the pastorate. It's a matter of interpretation.

Second, there is much division about whether this one wife means one wife at a time or one wife in a lifetime. Fritz Rienecker in his Linguistic Key to the Greek N.T. says that this phrase literally means, "a one woman man." There is no doubt that at the time Paul was writing this, and specifically in the pagan culture of Ephesus, that many of the converts to Christianity had multiple wives. Jesus taught against this and polygamy was not encouraged in the early church. Yet, what do you do about the new believers who were already in this situation? Apparently, some kept multiple wives, but among the leadership, one wife at a time was required to discourage the practice. The word "must" in this verse could strengthen this interpretation (see note 5 at this verse).

There are many people and entire denominations that interpret this as meaning a bishop or deacon can't be remarried or divorced. What about those who were divorced before they became Christians? What about those who were faithful to their mates in every way, yet their mates divorced them? Are they to be disqualified for things that happened before they were saved, or things done to them without their participation? That would certainly limit the pool of potential bishops and deacons.

Those who believe that this specifies being married to one wife in a lifetime, also put qualifications on this such as only having one wife since becoming a Christian. Almost everyone agrees that there has to be some degree of interpretation to these qualifications.

In Titus 1:7, Paul says, "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God." Paul gives the reason for keeping high standards. It is because these people are leaders, or role models for their followers. It can be argued that these requirements don't prohibit anyone from ministering, but they do prohibit just anyone from holding the position of pastor or deacon. These are subject to scrutiny in a way that other positions of ministry are not.

If Jesse James had encountered the Lord in a miraculous way and been truly born again, it still would not have been wisdom to make him the church treasurer. One of these qualifications is that leaders were to have a good report of those outside the body of Christ (v. 7). Regardless of how changed a person like Jesse James could have been on the inside, his reputation would make him a target for criticism and would be a liability to the church.

The same thinking could be used to say that divorced people or those who don't meet all the qualifications listed here, are still able to minister in a multitude of ways in the body of Christ, but not as the bishop or deacon. This in no way would stop them from sharing their faith in any other office or manner.

Another question this verse raises is, "Does this 'husband of one wife' qualification prohibit single people from pastoring or being deacons?" Is this saying that you have to have one wife, or does it require a maximum of one wife? The apostle Paul wasn't married, yet he established many churches. It could be argued that he was serving in the capacity of an apostle instead of a bishop. What about Timothy? He was ordained the first bishop of the church at Ephesus and there is no scriptural evidence that he was married. If marriage was essential, and such a controversial issue as we see it today, it seems like this important detail of Timothy's marital status would have been revealed in scripture. That type of logic would also demand that a bishop have children because of verse 4.

So the debate rages. However, everyone should agree that we should not use these scriptures to act unChrist-like towards anyone. Many ministers have suffered the wrath of peers, and the congregation, because of failure in one of these areas. What would Jesus do? He may not use everyone who desires one of these offices, but he would also not condemn or lack compassion towards those who don't measure up.

Note 8 at 1 Tim. 3:2: This word "sober" does not refer to not being drunk. The Greek word SOPHRON literally means, "sound in mind, i.e. self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion)" (Strong). This is describing a person who can control himself in action and emotion.

Note 9 at 1 Tim. 3:2: A pastor must be "of good behaviour." The Greek word is KOSMIOS and is also translated "modest" (1 Tim.2:9). The bishop must be well behaved, lead an orderly life and be respectable.

Note 10 at 1 Tim. 3:2: In Paul's instructions to Titus about these same qualifications, bishops must be "a lover of hospitality" (Ti. 1:8). The Greek word used here for "hospitality" literally means, "fond of guests" (Strong). A bishop or pastor has to be kind to guests. As the leader, the responsibility falls on the pastor to see that traveling ministers or visiting members of Christ's body are cared for properly.

Note 11 at 1 Tim. 3:2: This phrase "apt to teach" means "able or skillful in teaching." This is the only qualification of a bishop or pastor that refers to his ministry gift. These qualifications are referencing character issues. In contrast, the deacons do not have to be "apt to teach." Not all teachers have to be pastors, but all pastors must be teachers.