Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
In addition, we have the serious scholars as I think you called them once before, such as Matthew Henry:
According to St. Paul, women are not allowed to be public teachers in the church; for teaching is an office of authority. But good women may and ought to teach their children at home the principles of true religion.
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How do you reconcile this with Paul's word in Titus?
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Once again, I don't dispute Paul's word that elders need to be "husbands of one wife" not Male, or Men. A single man is not eligible to be an elder, nor is a divorced man, a remarried man, etc. If we are going to be "absolute" for the word, and get rid of the hypocrisy, then do it. Stop making excuses for your own practice while condemning everyone else. This rule by Paul was not about condemning others (including himself) but rather about setting forth a good example to the flock, even as the Apostles state clearly and plainly.
The reality is you can have a ministry even if you are divorced, remarried, single, or (God forbid) a sister. What you can't be if you are any of those is "the husband of one wife". Elders were set forth as an example of the flock. You don't have to be an elder to teach or have a ministry. However, the elders that were able to teach as well were "worthy of double honor".
2nd, if you are the "husband of one wife" when you are selected to be an elder then they are obviously selecting you and your wife. Based on Titus the wife needs to teach the sisters.
Why is this so hard for you to understand and acknowledge?