1 Timothy 3:12

Context

1 Timothy is traditionally regarded as a letter from Paul to Timothy, who was then in Ephesus, instructing him on church order. Some scholars, however, regard it, together with Titus, as a later work written under Paul's name. Chapter 3 first addresses the qualifications of an overseer (3:1–7) and then those of deacons (3:8–13). This verse comes near the end of the list of qualifications for deacons. The expression "the husband of one wife" also appears in the qualifications for an overseer (3:2) and for an elder (Titus 1:6). The idea that the way a man manages his household indicates his fitness to serve the church also appears in 3:4–5.

Interpretation

• Monogamy view: The phrase refers to a man who does not have more than one wife, prohibiting polygamy (having more than one wife at the same time) and concubinage. This reading has been widespread since the early church.
• Marital faithfulness view: The original expression is understood as "a one-woman man," that is, a man who is sexually faithful to his wife. Many contemporary evangelical commentaries take this position. They point out that the qualification for widows in 1 Timothy 5:9, "having been the wife of one man," refers to fidelity rather than to polyandry.
• Prohibition of remarriage view: The phrase refers to a man who has not remarried after divorce or the death of his wife. Some of the early Church Fathers read it this way.
• On whether only married men may become deacons, most interpreters hold that the verse does not make marriage a requirement but rather states the standard that applies to those who are married.

Controversies and Issues

The first issue concerns women deacons. Because the verse presupposes male officeholders, it is sometimes used as grounds for restricting the diaconate to men. Others, however, recognize women in this office, either by reading "their wives" (literally "women") in the immediately preceding verse, 3:11, as referring to women deacons rather than to deacons' wives, or by citing Romans 16:1, which calls Phoebe "a servant (diakonos) of the church." This discussion is bound up with the question of women's ordination, and denominations reach differing conclusions. The second issue is whether divorced or remarried church members may be appointed to church office. The answer depends on which of the interpretations described above one follows (see Divorce and Remarriage).

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, the office of deacon is often divided into acting deacons (seori jipsa), who are appointed annually, and ordained deacons (anssu jipsa), who receive the laying on of hands. The passage 3:8–13, which includes this verse, is frequently read at ordination services for ordained deacons and used as a sermon text. In denominations that do not permit women's ordination, the long-standing practice has been to install women as kwonsa (exhorters) instead of as ordained deacons. In denominations that permit women's ordination, women are also ordained as deacons.

Related Passages

• 1 Timothy 3:2
• 1 Timothy 3:11
• Titus 1:6
• 1 Timothy 5:9
• Romans 16:1