yes, The topic is pastors, not deacons. you was the one who brought it up
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife..." (The Greek word used for husband literally means a male. Bishop means overseer or pastor.)
A pastor must be a blameless male. The Bible says it. That settles it. And, you're fighting against God's word. The whole Bible is powerfully consistent with this verse. It's not a gray area. So, you're reduced to blowing smoke and insulting us by asking us to accept your flaming nonsense.
well what about your point, "he must be the husband of one wife?", just as the DEACON. got caught.
now if the bishop qualification, is to have one wife as well as the deacon, then my point is true, the apostle is talking only about the male counter part. because the same qualification for your pastor/bishop, Deacon, "husband of one wife", is the same office qualification. and the office of Deacon which our sister Phebe holds. so the two offices must be reconcile, or else the office of bishop don't qualify
for males only. so take your pick. because both office of bishop and deacon states, "must be husband of one wife". MALES ONLY?, LOL.
again reconcile. because you brought up the qualification,
Giving thanks to our Lord and God, Jesus the Christ. all glory, all praises to him ONLY.
Greeting 2 all who are called of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Good morning
I must admit, our friend Polt, by bring up the qualification of the Bishop and deacon. open the door to confirm that the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3 was speaking about the male counter part to these offices/duties. clearly these offices/duties is also held by women. after re-reading these qualification, the Lord revealed to me my long suspicion that it was for the male counter part only. here's the eye opener. in the opening verse, three things jump out. 1 Timothy 3:1 "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work". HOLD IT, #1 if this position was for males only, why say "This is a true saying". notice what follows, " If a man desire the office". if this is a male only position why would a male have to desire it. don't make sense.
if the apostle would have said something like this, "the office/duties of a Bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach". this get straight to the point, and then we could see that it is MALE ONLY. nope, nada, didn't happen that way. the verse states, " he desireth a good work". why would you have to say "he", desireth a good work. if this is a male only position, WHY EMPHASIZE "HE", don't make sense.
Only if in contrast with one who is a female in that position. then it makes sense. Just like the Deacon position. for the scriptures states, "
Likewise must the deacons". meaning, like the Bishop/pastor/overseer. "the husband of one wife". that want fly. because the position of deacon is a dual gender position.
G1249 διάκονος diakonos (dee-ak'-on-os)
masculine/feminine noun
1. an attendant, a servant
2. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties)
3. (specially) a male Christian serving in a specific function and post (i.e. tending the widows and the poor, teaching, pastoring, etc)
[probably from an obsolete diako "to run on errands"]
KJV: deacon, minister, servant
Compare: G1377
Likewise with the deacon, so is the same with the bishop, a feminine noun one can check this out online at the Blue Letter Bible online,
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1984&t=KJV&sf=5
so we see that both men and women hold these duties. as I have been saying, Phebe our sister was a "succourer"
the word, "succourer", here. according to Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries it's the word,
G4368 προστάτις prostatis (pros-tat'-is) n.
1. a patroness, i.e. assistant
[
feminine of a derivative of G4291]
KJV: succourer
Root(s): G4291
The KJV renders it here as succourer, Why?. this word succourer, (G4368 προστάτις prostatis),
is the feminine of the the proistemi G4291 προΐστημι proistemi, which is for the male in that position.
G4291 προΐστημι proistemi (pro-is"'-tay-mee) v.
1. to stand before
2. (in rank) to preside
3. (by implication) to practise
[from G4253 and G2476]
KJV: maintain,
be over, rule
be over,
taking the oversight. this is brought out in the fact the words "Office of a Bishop" is misleading, THERE IS NO
OFFICE OF BISHOP. it is the duties only, not an OFFICE. according to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. "the office of a bishop," lit.,
"(if any one seeketh) overseership,"
there is no word representing office. Note: The corresponding verb is episkopeo, which,
in reference to the work of an overseer, is found in 1Pet 5:2, RV, "exercising the oversight," for AV "taking the oversight." See OVERSIGHT. well lets look at this word.
G1983, episkopeo
lit., to look upon" (epi, "upon," skopeo, "to look at, contemplate"), is found in 1Pet 5:2 (some ancient authorities omit it), "exercising the oversight," RV (AV, "taking ..."); "exercising" is the right rendering;
the word does not imply the entrance upon such responsibility, but the fulfillment of it.
It is not a matter of assuming a position, but of the discharge of the duties. The word is found elsewhere in Heb 12:15, "looking carefully," RV. See LOOK. Cp. episkope in 1Tim 3:1 (See BISHOP, No. 2).
well, well, well. taking the oversight.
in Paul's letter to the Roman Church. Phebe was probably the bearer of this letter. Lets look at this types of Commendation Paul made of Phebe. Paul was writing to the entire church, not just a specific section. (so the idea of only women teaching women is rejected), why?. this letter is to the whole congregation. Romans 1:7a To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. this letter was to the SAINTS meaning HOLY ONES. so Paul is sending her to the HOLY ONES. in order for the apostle to send her to these people, she must be HOLY herself and is well qualified, (yes she was a servant/minister at the church of Cenchrea). letter of recommendations have always been given
to qualified people.
commend, in conjunction with "
received in the Lord", shows again that Phebe was no mere table waiter. the same was done of Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25-30. here we see that letters were written so that the congregation would
receive him. and his work was in the Lord. Phebe was to be received in the Lord as well. it's the lord work. read your commentary on Phil 2:25-30. the phrase, "received in the Lord", was used in reference to those
who preached and taught the gospel. Scripture follows. the apostle Paul speaking about Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation". the same was of our sister Phebe
be blessed in the Lord.