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Unless one means to argue that deacons must be married
How they serve and manage their household would indicate how they would serve and manage the church.
In 1 Timothy 3:12 we're told that deacons should be the husband of one wife. How do female deacons fulfill this qualification?
As I'm studying the passage and the possibilities of women deacons this verse is never addressed. I'm probably missing something obvious.
For my 2 cents, I would suggest that this indicates that a deacon (and elder since there is similar language) are to be married. I think that this points to a very practical reason. How they serve and manage their household would indicate how they would serve and manage the church.
This couldn't have been the actual *requirement* as Paul himself was not married, why would he insist on this as a necessary qualification for others? This seemingly plain and simple reading is not plain-and-simple-consistent with the Apostles' own context. It reads more to the intent of the passage being more like "If the deacon is married then he shall be married to one wife." rather than "The deacon must be married." as being the impetus.
Paul was not an elder nor a deacon, ordinarily ordained and installed; he was an Apostle called directly by our Lord.
That said, whether you believe 1 Cor 7 to be speaking in respect merely of contemporaneous circumstances or not, Paul's positive regard towards the gift of singleness doesn't make a lot of sense to me if the gift also bars the beneficiary from ministry.
as Paul himself was not married
Could you cite the verse that states that he was never married?
Denny Burk sets it out as I've generally heard:
http://www.dennyburk.com/was-the-apostle-Paul-married/
How does that work in with the thread, Ed? If the call is for marriage to be an elder or deacon, wouldn't Paul have had to remarry to be qualified, if he at the time was not the husband of one wife? Thanks.Could you cite the verse that states that he was never married?
Denny Burk sets it out as I've generally heard:
http://www.dennyburk.com/was-the-apostle-Paul-married/
wouldn't Paul have had to remarry to be qualified, if he at the time was not the husband of one wife?
I think that this points to a very practical reason. How they serve and manage their household would indicate how they would serve and manage the church.
otherwise single men would be ruled out of the ministry if deacons and elders have to be married.
Please excuse my ignorance. Are you saying 1. Paul's previous marriage and management of his household as a Pharisee before being a Christian qualified him for leadership in the church, or 2. Paul remarried when the qualifications for leaders were listed, so he can be qualified by the church observing how his household was managed?Rather than re-state it, I'll refer you up-thread to Mr. Schultz
Are you saying 1. Paul's previous marriage and management of his household as a Pharisee before being a Christian qualified him for leadership in the church