SATURDAY March 22, 2025
The Husband of One Wife
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife....
1 Timothy 3:2
Another one of the qualifications given to a bishop, or as translated in the Greek language “an overseer,” is for him to be the husband of one wife. This refers to a pastor being totally devoted and faithful to one woman. Literally, in the Greek language it means, “He is to be a man of one woman.” A husband in the ministry has a moral obligation to sexual purity. He is to remain married until his wife passes away. Then, if he so desires, he is free to remarry.
As a leader, there must be blamelessness. There are too many men who fall into sin and commit adultery. All men need to guard their hearts as Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV).
Honestly, there is nothing wrong with noticing a beautiful woman, but it is that second look when you begin to lust after her––then you have already committed adultery with her in your heart. At that point, you have lost your blamelessness. Be satisfied with the woman you have already married.
Bishops, elders, or pastors are not to divorce their wives. If this happens, they are disqualified from holding a major leadership position, such as a pastor. However, they are able to serve in other ministries. This is what the Word of God has established.
The problem in churches today is that we have people who have been divorced two, three, or even four times. There has to be a standard for godly leadership in the church. In Malachi 2:16 NLT, God tells us, “For I hate divorce!” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” God has given you one woman for life!
If you want a happy marriage, the most intelligent thing you can do is to submit to God’s regulations. They are designed to promote and protect your full happiness.
~R.C. Sproul~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
