A note from our Pastor:

”Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.”

1 Timothy 3:11

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

As we come to our study verse for this week we arrive at an interesting and somewhat odd verse. In the prior verses, the Apostle has been providing instructions regarding the deacons called by the community of believers. In verse twelve he will return to this subject. But for one verse in the middle he addresses a different group of individuals.

It would be unfair to consider this text without acknowlding the struggle around it. Among biblical scholars the question arises if the words translated as wives is most accurate. One group of scholars believes this verse is addressing the wives of deacons. The other group believes it addressed the deaconesses which were in the early church.

I will not attempt here to make a determination between the two views because such a determination is unnecessary. First, the instructions are applicable to all women in the community of believers so the reference is really unimportant. Second, it is necessary for the wives of deacons to conduct themselves with appropriate decorum as they likely have knowledge regarding other members of the congregation based on their husbands work in the community of believers. Finally, from the Gospel accounts it is clear there was a group of women who traveled with Christ and the Apostles to care for them and minister unto others needs. That such a group continued in the early church is not unlikely.

Regardless of the intended audience, the instructions of the Apostle to Timothy are wise and appropriate. They differ little from the characteristics highlighted as appropriate for pastors and deacons. Peter in his writings compared gossip and slander to murder. All of these characteristics are ones which allow for empathy, love, and grace. Acting in the opposite fashion brings strife and division among the community of believers.

The encouragement in reading and studying this verse should not be around deciphering who the instruction applies to but rather in how to best follow the instruction.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah