Qualifications of Elders: Part V

Paul commands that the elders of the church are to be the “husband of one wife.” This qualification has caused much contention and in our day of easy divorce it can be one of the greatest hurdles to finding qualified men. Some have interpreted this passage (in ascending severity) as disqualifying the polygamist, disqualifying the divorced who remarry, disqualifying the divorced even without remarriage, disqualifying remarried widowers. All of these share one trait, they are attempts to apply this positive passage negatively. Paul is not saying what the potential elder will not do, but what he will do. Read the rest of this entry »