HoHum:
There is a story about 4 preachers discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked the KJV best because of its simple, beautiful English. Another liked the American Revised Version best because it was closer to the original Hebrew and Greek. Still another like the NIV because of its up-to-date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent for a moment, then said, “I like my mother’s translation best.” Surprised, the other three men said they didn’t know his mother had translated the Bible. “Yes,” he replied, “She translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”
WBTU:
This verse is often interpreted in different ways. 3 different ideas:
1. This is talking to all women. Yes, these are good character qualities for all women but that is not who is being addressed here. The context is talking about church leadership.
2. This is talking about another office in the church, a deaconess- a woman deacon. This is not supported by the Greek and we do not find this practice in the early church.
3. This is talking about the wives of church leaders. Many translations of the Bible take this view like the NIV, KJV, English Standard Version, and others.
Cannot adequately explain why it is included in qualification for deacons. Deacons are to be tested (vs. 10) and this testing must also include their wives. If they pass the test, then they can be deacons. Most elders start as deacons. Maybe this is the reason, but these qualities are essential for the wives of all church leaders whether they be deacons, elders, or preachers.
Vs. 11 should encourage deacons, for what better help can a deacon have than a faithful wife? When deacons are examined for office (vs. 10), their wives must also be included in the examination process, since they serve as helpers to their deacon husbands. If a prospective deacon’s wife isn’t willing or able to help or doesn’t meet the qualifications mentioned in vs. 11, the prospective deacon isn’t eligible at that time for office.
A woman can make or break a man and this is very evident in church leadership. Because deacons’ wives are helper, Paul requires them to meet qualifications similar to their husbands.
Paul lays down 4 requirements for deacons’ wives in vs. 11 that are similar to others found in 1 Timothy 3: Worthy of respect (exactly as deacons), malicious talkers (find in other qualities but not covered specifically until here), temperate (same word used in vs. 2 for elders), trustworthy in everything (find in other qualities but not covered specifically until here)
Thesis: Let’s examine these 4 qualifications in more detail
For instances:
Women of dignity, women worthy of respect
As church leaders we should be of the mindset that we are not going to involve our wives in sensitive matters of the church. I think this is good and should be a general rule. Try not to talk about people or situations in detail but if things fester, for my own sanity, I must inform my wife. I want my wife’s input and prayers over this situation. We are a team, a partnership, and if it affects me it also affects my wife.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28, NIV. Christianity emancipated women; it liberated them from a kind of slavery. In the Gentile world a wife was not viewed as a partner but more like a domestic slave. A slave with authority and above the other slaves but still a slave. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1, NIV. Because of this women are to be dignified. They are not to use their position in an ungodly and unbiblical way.
Not malicious talkers
Generally women talk more than men. I’m not saying that men don’t gossip, they do. However, most women can outtalk most men. If their words are hurtful and full of gossip, they can do much damage to morale and to the church.
I grew up with two younger sisters and it seemed to me that they did battle with their tongues over the course of weeks, while my brother and I did battle with our bodies and it lasted at most an hour. Fighting with tongues can be the more brutal.
“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:3-8, NIV.
The Greek word for “malicious talkers” is the same word for devil. Slander is the devil’s work. It divides and hurts people. It destroys churches.
Malicious gossips create division, hatred, and suspicions. Malicious gossipers exhibit confused judgment and uncontrolled speech. They are controlled by unrestrained passions such as anger, jealousy, bitterness, wounded feelings, pride, or mental disorder. Such people often believe their own lies and accusations. Thus they are self deceived. A malicious gossip spreads bad rumors, innuendos, criticisms, and lies about people. Here is the scary part: the wife of a church leader has access to more information on people than others that can be used against people. Mixing truth and lies together is a strong combination.
Our God is the God of truth, justice, love forbearance, and healing. The OT law expressly forbids malicious gossip: ““‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” Leviticus 19:16, NIV. “Whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18, NIV.
In NT: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9, NIV. God blesses those who make peace with others. Therefore, He expects us to speak in love and truth, to heal wounds, and to mend broken relationships. A malicious talker, however, isn’t concerned with fairness or healing, only with striking back, tearing down, hurting, venting anger, or entertaining evil thoughts. A malicious gossip has no place in ministering to others in God’s family. Even if a prospective deacon does not have this problem, if his wife is prone to this, he should not be a deacon. Wife has access to sensitive information that she can use to spread gossip. Not good at all
Temperate
Many times we think of “not indulging in much wine (vs. 8)” with temperance and this is true but that is only one aspect of being temperate. Being temperate means a person who has self control, balanced judgment, and freedom from excesses or extremes. This indicates someone without any personal disorder that would distort their judgment or conduct. This describes a person who is stable, circumspect, self restrained, and clearheaded.
Wives who lack self control and balanced mental perspective will inevitably undermine their husbands service within the congregation. Lacking self restraint, they will be easily snared by the devil or false teachers. It is essential that wives working in Christian service with their husbands be mentally and emotionally stable and in control. Thy must be able to remain composed in all circumstances.
Trustworthy in everything
Translated as “faithful in all things (NASB)” is a beautiful quality in any woman.
Faithfulness is a key word in God’s vocabulary. Some synonyms for faithful and trustworthy are loyal, reliable, or dependable.
In the work of God, faithfulness and trustworthiness is of significant importance. “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.” Psalms 101:6, NIV.
Faithfulness, trustworthiness is the key measuring stick in God’s eyes. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV.
Since God is faithful to his promises and His people, He expects His people to be faithful
The world is characterized by infidelity. It has no allegiance to anything but its own desires. Thus, God’s final and rather comprehensive qualification for deacons’ wives is not perfection; it is faithfulness in all things- in all aspects of life.
We might expect Paul to say that these women must be faithful to God or to their families. Instead, he says, “trustworthy in everything.” That means they are to be faithful in every relationship and sphere of life: in their commitment to Christ and His Word, in their duties to their families, in their witness to neighbors, and in their responsibilities to the family of God. Every aspect of their life is to be marked by faithfulness.
A woman who commits adultery or is flirtatious is untrustworthy. A woman who neglects her family because of selfish ambitions, or neglects God’s people, or walks in disobedience to the Word of God is unfaithful. A fickly, selfish woman who changes her mind half a dozen times or breaks commitments to please her own whims is unreliable. As Solomon one time wrote: “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.” Proverbs 25:19, NIV.
In helping their husbands, these women have an important responsibility to fill. Thus it must be insisted that they, like their husbands, be biblically qualified. Let us not be indifferent to God’s instruction regarding church leaders wives.
