Women who Serve

Women who Serve
Words of Faith 5-18-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Timothy 3
[11] In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

This is a difficult text to translate. In Greek, the word "gyne" is used for both "woman" and "wife." Because the Greek word for "their" is missing, the translation is difficult. The context could mean "their wives," as the NIV and KJV translate. The text could actually be directed to women in general, but the context makes this unlikely.
The other possibility for a literal translation would be that the text may refer to women in this office-- essentially deaconesses such as Phoebe, who was referred to in Romans 16:1. If so, the instruction is relatively brief. Besides, it can be argued deaconesses were probably not common in the first-century church.

We may miss the point if we spend too much time debating that issue. Whether directed to the wives of deacons or deaconesses, church leaders must take great care in how they conduct their lives. It is not just the church leader who is under scrutiny. Like it or not, the family, especially a church leader's spouse, must take great care.
There are some specific traps to watch out for. Those who lead in the church and their families should be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers, temperate and trustworthy. Malicious talk is also translated as "slander" and means anything falsely accusing. The damage done with the tongue can be ravaging.
Temperate means sober or "not mixed with wine." Trustworthy in everything means they can be counted on; they follow through on duties and commitments. Good solid advice for leaders and those married to church leaders.
Perhaps the most significant point is that the Enemy will strike not just at a church leader but also at a leader's family. Ever since critics talked about Moses' wife, the families of church leaders have been an easy target. Perhaps the answer is not to caution those family members-- but to pray for them.

Lord, I lift to You the families of our church leaders. I pray for the wives and children of those who seek to serve Your Kingdom. I pray for them to be respected and honored, to have words that honor You, temperance in all things, and the time and energy to follow through on Your call upon their lives and families. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.