What does "husband of but one wife" imply for church leaders today? Setting the Verse in Context Titus 1:6: “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who believe and are not open to the charge of wildness or rebellion.” • Paul is giving Titus clear, Spirit-inspired qualifications for elders/overseers in every church. • These standards are moral, relational, and doctrinal—each reflecting Christ’s character. What the Greek Phrase Literally Says • mias gunaikos anēr = “a one-woman man.” • The wording is positive, emphasizing what an elder is, not merely what he is not. • Focus: singular, exclusive, ongoing marital faithfulness. Implications for Today’s Church Leaders 1. Singular Marriage Commitment • Polygamy or concurrent relationships disqualify. • The elder must model the creation design: one man, one woman, for life (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). 2. Sexual and Emotional Fidelity • More than legal status; purity in heart, mind, and body (Job 31:1; Hebrews 13:4). • No pattern of flirtation, pornography, or unrepentant immorality. 3. Divorce and Remarriage Considerations • If divorced for unbiblical reasons (Matthew 19:9), the “one-wife” requirement is violated. • Biblical divorce (adultery or abandonment by an unbeliever, 1 Corinthians 7:15) followed by a biblically valid remarriage can uphold the standard if the present marriage is exemplary. • Each case demands careful pastoral examination and clear evidence of repentance where needed. 4. Not a Mandate to Marry • Paul himself was single (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). • The phrase does not say “must have a wife,” but that if he has one, he must be a “one-woman man.” • So a celibate, sexually pure man can serve (cf. Jesus’ own singleness). 5. Consistency with 1 Timothy 3:2 • Paul repeats the same phrase for overseers and deacons. • Uniform moral expectation across congregations: leaders set the relational tone for God’s household. 6. Visible Example to the Flock • Marriage mirrors Christ’s covenant love for the church (Ephesians 5:25-32). • A leader’s faithfulness provides a living parable of the gospel’s faithfulness. • When an elder’s home is ordered well, credibility in teaching and discipline is strengthened (Titus 1:7-9). Practical Takeaways for Elder Selection Committees • Conduct thorough interviews that include the candidate’s spouse. • Review past marital history with gentleness and truth. • Look for long-term patterns, not isolated failures already repented of. • Ensure transparency with the congregation while protecting confidences. • Keep the standard high; it protects the church, the witness of Christ, and the leader’s own soul. Summing It Up “To be the husband of but one wife” means an elder must be a man of singular, lifelong, and observable marital faithfulness—devoted exclusively to one woman (if married), sexually pure in every respect, and thus a living illustration of Christ’s loyal love for His bride, the church. |
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