Can “female elders” or bishops be “the husband of one wife?” The scriptures are very specific. So, how can anyone ordain women as elders or bishops?

Created: Sunday, October 15, 2023

Female Elders, How? It’s Illegal According To The Bible

STM Bible Snack – According to the Bible

An elder must have one wife and children! So how can there be female elders?
Titus 1:5-6 [read 5-9 (5-6)]: I left you in Crete [an island in the Mediterranean southeast of Greece] so you could finish doing [organize; straighten out] the things that still needed to be done and so you could appoint elders in every town [city], as I directed you. 6 An elder [1 Timothy 3:1–7] must not be guilty of doing wrong [be blameless], must have only one wife [or be faithful to his wife], and must have believing [or faithful] children. They must not be known as children who are [accused of being] wild [reckless] and do not cooperate [unruly; undisciplined; rebellious]. (EXB); KJV: For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders^G4245 in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband^G435 of one wife^G1135, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Definitions

Presbuteros – elders: G4245 πρεσβύτερος presbuteros (prez-ɓï ’-te-ros) adj. among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches). The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Elder: That “elders” and “bishops” were in apostolic and subapostolic times the same is now almost universally admitted; in all NT references their functions are identical. The most probable explanation of the difference of names is that “elder” refers mainly to the person and “bishop” to the office; the name “elder” emphasizes what he is, while “bishop,” i.e., “overseer,” emphasizes what the elder or presbyter does.
Aner – husband: G435 ἀνήρ aner (a-neer’) n. 1. A man. 2. With a reference to sex, and so to distinguish a man from a woman; of a male.
KJV Dictionary Definition: husband: A man contracted or joined to a woman by marriage. A man to whom a woman is betrothed, as well as one actually united by marriage, is called a husband. Leviticus 19. Deut.22.
Gune – wife: G1135 γυνή gune (ǰ ï-nee’) n. 1. universally, a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow. 2. A woman; specifically a wife.
KJV Dictionary Definition: wife: The lawful consort of man; a woman who is united to man in the lawful bonds of wedlock; the correlative of husband.

Bishop is a male, husband, man

It is also strange that some organizations ordain female “bishops.” After all, the Bible clearly says a bishop must be the husband of one wife.
1 Timothy 3:2 [read 1 Timothy 3:1–7 (2)]: Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be] sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a capable and qualified teacher, (AMPC); KJV: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband^G435 of one wife^G1135, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Follow the husband’s lead

1 Peter 3:1 [read 1 Peter 3:1-6 (1)]: Wives, follow the lead of your own husbands. Suppose some of them don’t believe God’s word. Then let them be won to Christ without words by seeing how their wives behave. (NIRV); KJV: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

The husband is the head

Ephesians 5:22-23 [read Ephesians 5:22-33 (22-23)]: Wives, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority as you have placed yourselves under the Lord’s authority. 23
The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. (GW); KJV: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Again I ask. How can anyone ordain women as elders or bishops if the scriptures specify an elder or bishop must be “the husband of one wife?” Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible snack. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺