1 Timothy 3:1-2b | Faithful & Pure Men By Faith In The Gospel

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: God produces faithful husbands in churches who gather to hear and obey sound teaching that accords with the gospel. || Below is the digital handout content for the sermon. Click the button to get the full written sermon manuscript in PDF format. Keep track of what you watch and take notes with our app: www.rhbaptist.net/apps.

A BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK

Pastors are to be examples in our shared goal of knowing and following Christ. (1 Timothy 3:2)

Pastors are to be examples both for those who are married and for those who are not married. (Acts 20:28)

Marriage is essential in God’s good design for us to multiply and fill the earth with God’s glory, and also, singleness has value particularly when stewarded to engage in the work of multiplying disciples and reflecting God’s glory through the church.

Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 18:22; Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 7:7-9,32-33; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Timothy 4:1-3

Bad theology, “free” impure living, and self-centered worldly pursuits are devilish reasons for not marrying. Serving the Lord and His church and trusting God’s providence (circumstances and timing) can be good reasons. Let the Christian understand the difference.

Biblical marriage of one man and one woman is to be understood and esteemed by all Christians—married and not married—as it illustrates Christ and His church to all. (Ephesians 5:31-33)

Therefore, a pastor must be faithful in all things that pertain to being a husband of one wife. 

INTERPRETATIVE OBSERVATIONS

1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

A bishop [overseer/pastor/elder] then must be [presently] blameless, the husband of one wife [Greek: a one-woman man]…

•The instruction is in the present tense and is related to being “above reproach.”

•Scripture uses specific Greek words for “divorce,” “marriage,” and “sexual immorality,” but none of those are used in this passage. It simply says a “one-woman man.” The word order and combination is unique from the rest of scripture.

•This same Greek phrase (but as “one-man woman”) is used to describe faithful widows who were married to a husband and known for their good works in chapter 5.

•If it specifically means “not divorced or re-married without exception,” the pastor qualifications would neither emphasize marital fidelity nor instruct against sexual immorality, and it would go against such allowances for re-marriage as in Matthew 19:9, 1 Corinthians 7:15, and 1 Timothy 5:14. 

•If it specifically means “not in polygamy,” it would be a low standard since that was not even accepted in Roman or Jewish culture of their day. 

•If it specifically means “must presently be married,” it would leave out unmarried men like Paul, widowers, and (if consistent) men without children presently in the home (v4-5), and it would make simply being married a quality of being “above reproach.”  

•The inspired words “one-woman man” covers everything, as it combines fidelity, purity, and devotion—even if one is not yet or no longer married. This is more consistent in regards to being “above reproach.”

•The alternative to being a “one-woman man” would to be a “many-women man.” This simple word-usage gives the church a much broader spectrum to evaluate its many applications.

A Caution About Using This Text to Mostly Relate to Divorce: “Legalism” uses extra-biblical human tradition (1) as a self-righteous means of salvation or sanctification that is divorced from the gospel or (2) as a disingenuous smokescreen behind which one disobeys true biblical commands. (Mark 7:9-13)

A FAITHFUL HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE

1.Covenantal Life Union (Eph 5:31)

2.Unashamed Romantic Union (Eph 5:31)

3.Spiritual Head Union (Eph 5:23-24)

4.Sacrificial Love Union (Eph 5:25-28)

5.Intimate Knowledge Union (1 Pet 3:7)

6.Honorable Protector Union (1 Pet 3:7)

7.Shared Inheritance Union (1 Pet 3:7)

No man should help pastor Christ’s church if he is not faithfully devoted to his wife (if married) and if he does not conduct himself purely towards all who are not his wife.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: God  produces faithful husbands  in churches who gather to hear and obey sound teaching that accords with the gospel.