We are addressing proposed amendments to the Policy and Procedures document with which our congregation is governed.

The policy issue we are debating at this point hinges on the interpretation of the scripture verses describing the qualifications for Elders and Deacons (1st Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:6).

Both scripture verses say the same thing – ‘the husband of one wife’ but, we have not found evidence to support the interpretation that an Elder or Deacon must be married! The common interpretation among the commentaries we have checked suggest that what these verses mean is an Elder or Deacon should have one wife IF he is married.


The same common interpretation would apply to the other qualification regarding children – ‘having his children in submission’. – IF he has children.

My question is - What is the correct interpretation of the verses?

Looking at the two readings (KJV and NKJV), in context of the rest of those chapters, the following is offered:

Your reading of verses addresses the idea that the Elder or Deacon is a person with a stable family life, if he has a wife (and only one) and he has children who are familiar with proper deportment/respect.

A single man also qualifies for a stable home environment, as there exists no unruly wife or children which would prevent him from concentrating on his official duties.

In both cases, the man considered should have no bad habits - being temperate, monogamous (if single and in a dating relationship, with a serious eye toward marriage), learned, financially settled, not ambitious/greedy, experienced in the church congregation to be served, humble, and slow to anger.

I suggest your interpretation is correct.

In the congregation to which I belong, there is a separation of the leaders in the church. One set, the Elders/Deacons and Worship Assistants, are focused upon nurturing the lessons of the Bible in guiding the congregation in the correct path (through focus direction and worship).

Other leaders are focused solely on the day-to-day operation of the "business" aspect of the congregation - seeing to the church physical plant adequacy, procuring teaching supplies, recruiting teachers for instructional classes, and financing evangelistic programs and missions.

Thank you for your response - our committee has been unsure how to address the differences of opinion in the membership on this issue.