Baptists/Deacons

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Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 7/22/2007


Question
Does 1 Timothy 3:1 mean a deacon must have had only one wife (no divorce) or does it mean he must not have more than one wife, (not a polygamist)?

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

The verse (1 Tim. 3:2 & 12)& does literally say, "the husband of one wife."

Throughout history, this verse has been interpreted in three ways:  one, a deacon or overseer must not have more than one wife; two, that he should not have been divorced; and thirdly, that he should be married.  So, you are going to get different interpretations based on who you are asking.

I think that the primary meaning here is that the overseer/deacon should not have two wives. Polygamy was common in Paul’s day, and bigamy was certainly prevalent. The officer in the church should be the husband of one wife.  

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Rev. Robert Woods

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I am an Senior Pastor of Southminster Church in Louisville, KY. I have a Masters of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have an undergraduate degree in Government/Pre-law. I have special expertise in Church versus State issues. I have done intensive study in Baptist Doctrine and Eschatology. I can answer questions about separation of church and state, christian involvement in politics, what is the Baptist view on abortion, or capital punishment, who is going to heaven or to hell, what are the differences between the churches, why do Baptist immerse people, when is Jesus going to return, what are the signs of the end of time, is the battle of Armageddon going to come soon, and more! I am also co-author of the Book: The End of Days The Warning ISBN-13: 9781424199808 Check out our web site at http://www.theendofdaysthewarning.com

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