Pastors and Marriage
(a conversation about truth)
1Timothy 3
Tony Pritchard
A question if I my my Brother (Mark Bundy).
Over my 44 years of salvation, I have heard many many sermons from God's men on these passages, a number of sermons that I cannot begin to count. Regarding these verses, every sermon I've heard is on divorce and remarriage, especially as it applies to the qualifications of the office of Pastor or Deacon. And I am in agreement with them.
But what I have never ever heard preached, it may have been preached somewhere yet never in 44 years have I ever heard or read it, is the truth that unmarried men are also unqualified for either of these offices.
The husband of one wife, blameless (not sinless) keeping his own house in order. I have never once heard a preacher of the Word mention this black and white qualification, either in preaching or writing. It is equally the true that an unmarried man is as unqualified as is the divorced man. Why does this truth not enjoy the exposure as that of other truths, do you think?
Natasha Carlton asked:
Tony Pritchard if unmarried men were unqualified then Jesus wouldn't of called Paul to reach the gentiles. We only know Peter was married because his mother in law was mentioned, but we have no idea about the other disciples. Some scholars seem to believe this passage refers to monogamy (warning against polygamy), however I agree with Mark Bundy Jr. that a Pastor, if married, shouldn't cause such a scandal like marrying his own secretary after leaving his wife, pointing out that this could cause some to wonder if he had an affair before the divorce.
Mark Bundy Jr. replied:
Natasha Carlton Paul was not a pastor. He was a missionary.
Tony Pritchard said:
Natasha Carlton Paul occupied the office of Apostle, and preached Christ. There is a disconnect with your reasoning, or rather a connection that scripture does not make. That being connecting the qualifications of Pastor with preaching. Preaching does not require being a Pastor, or meeting the requirements of a Pastor.
Natasha Carlton asked:
Tony Pritchard can we prove that Timothy was ever married?
Tony Pritchard replied:
Natasha Carlton Can we prove he was not? First, an absence of an answer to a question establishes nothing. Second, it is never acceptable to speak where the Bible is silent and the Bible does not say.
Natasha Carlton stated:
Tony Pritchard I agree, therefore I cannot conclude that men must be married in order to be pastors. Paul himself said it is better for men to be unmarried so as to solely focus on the Lord, but marriage is a good and blessed thing.
Tony Pritchard replied:
Natasha Carlton
A wise man once said:
"Nothing is proved by the absence of a doctrine from one passage, which is clearly stated in others. For not all things are not taught in every place".
True words, backed by scripture.
One of the foundational principles of Bible interpretation is to let the Bible interpret itself. What is not taught in one passage, but is clearly taught elsewhere is the "whole counsel of God".
Isaiah 28:10,13
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: "
"But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken."
A truth absent from one passage, yet clearly taught in others establishes the true teaching of Scripture.
You conclude that because in 1Tim. there is no proof that Timothy was married, therefore marriage is not a requirement for the Pastorate.
Yet that marriage requirement "is" taught elsewhere. Because God did not see the need to reveal Timothy's marriage status leads to no conclusion when elsewhere it clearly says "the husband of one wife". The qualifications for the office of Pastor and Deacon are thus:
1Timothy 3:2-7
A Pastor or Deacon must be -
1- blameless
2- the husband of one wife
3- vigilant
3- sober
4- of good behaviour
5- given to hospitality
6- apt to teach
7- Not given to wine
8- no striker
9- not greedy of filthy lucre
10- patient
11- not a brawler
12- not covetous;
13- One that ruleth well his own house )For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
14- having his children in subjection with all gravity;
15- Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
16- Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
17- Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
One wife? Having his children in subjection? Ruling his house well? Wives?
No Ma'am, the conclusion that there is no requirement for a Pastor to be married because the marital status of Timothy is not reveled is utterly wrong. Other scripture is clear on this issue.
To take issue with this requirement of marriage for Pastors based upon the unknown about Timothy, which requirement is taught elsewhere, is to stand opposed to the truth of scripture.
Yours in Him,
Tony Pritchard