1 Timothy 3:2b -- Leadership quality #2: husband of but one wife

To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.

1 Timothy 3:2b (NIV):

"[Now the overseer must be] the husband of but one wife..."

Leadership quality #2: The leader must be faithful to his wife.

This phrase "the husband of but one wife" has gotten many churches in turmoil by strictly interpreting it as anyone who has divorced or been widowed and has remarried cannot be a leader in the church. It has also been wrongly interpreted to mean that a single person cannot be a leader.

The important thing that Paul is getting at is that the leader cannot be involved in polygamy or promiscuity.

For us today, we might interpret it as: "The leader must be faithful to his wife."

Raise your leadership level: This ties back to the first leadership quality (be above reproach). Make sure there is nothing in your life that would lead you or tempt you down the wrong path to infidelity. In our new offices at NorthStar there are little windows in the doors and most of the offices have big windows to the outside. I like that. I like that there is nothing hidden in my office. I will not meet with a woman alone in a private place. If we meet in my office, even though there's that window, I keep the door open! I will not compromise on that. I don't want to give the devil even a toehold in that area. Be above reproach! And have people in your life to whom you are accountable!