Does 1 Tim. 3:2 mean a man must be married to be a pastor?
Paul's point in 1 Timothy 3:2 is not that a man must be married, but that if he is, then he must meet the requirements of this passagehe must manage his own household well. Literally, the Greek text says, "a one woman man," i.e., a man who has eyes only for his own wife. He must be a man who is faithful to his own wife. There is no indication that Timothy had a wife, yet he functioned as a pastor in many ways as he was sent to various churches to do the work of a pastor/teacher. Paul was not married and, for the sake of ministry, felt that this was an excellent option (cf. His comments in 1 Corinthians 7). Jesus also spoke of those who chose a celibate life for the sake of ministry (Matt. 19:12).
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