The Biblical Role of the Pastor's wife - South African Theological ...

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other wives with the congregation as well as wives belong to elders or those higher up in the leadership of the church. MacDonald (1995) does not lend himself to the interpretation of the passage as specific to the wife of a deacon but to a woman in service to the church. With further investigation into the text, the Greek term translated “wives” literally means “any adult female”, married or unmarried. Danker et al. (2000) suggest that the Greek word gunē can be translated as either woman or wife and within the context of 1 Timothy 3 they favour rendering it as wives because the discussion revolves around the responsibilities of male deacons. Therefore the male deacons were also responsible to have “wives whose dress, conduct and speech are exemplary and befitting their position as wives of deacons.” The most common translation would be that of wife but it is not limited to such as the phrase does not include a modifier (Schreiner, 1991:214). Lewis␣ (1979:169) offers that the conjunction translated, “in the same way” in the NIV or “likewise” in the NASB, distinguishes a new and distinct group being discussed. Schreiner (1991:505) suggests that Paul was referring to female deacons as he omits any moral qualifications specific to wives of elders. Schreiner holds to the fact that women cannot be elders but offers evidence that women functioned as deacons within the church. Some scholars (Schreiner 1991, Madigan 2005, Lewis 1979) and churches have agreed to this interpretation thereby justifying the appointment of female deacons. However, there is no determined consensus. It is most probable that the reference to woman in 1 Timothy 3:11 is not limited to the wife of a deacon (Vine, 1996). Many scholars have pointed out the notation to Phoebe in Romans 16:1, a servant (diakonos), identifies the concept and acknowledges the appointment of female deacons. Fitzmyer (2004:592) concurs; he states that no possessive pronoun is found in the original Greek and therefore wives cannot be the correct interpretation. The author of 1 Timothy is clearly discussing those who have responsible roles to play within the church. The phrase (hōsautos) translated likewise or in the same manner is also scrutinised. The use of this adverb suggests the author is presenting a new group within the list of offices, but not necessarily a new 92
office. Fitzmyer’s understanding is consistent with that of Lewis and Schreiner regarding the phrase likewise or in the same way, suggesting that the author is identifying a distinct group of people. The term may also mean after the same manner, as if to say, the women must also be trustworthy. Indicating the qualifications for deacons similarly apply to women in service. The qualifications listed for the female deacon as indicated by Fitzmyer (2004:592) consisted of three positive and one negative qualification, namely 1) worthy of respect, 2) temperate, 3) faithful in all things, and 4) not malicious talkers (gossips). It is plausible that the female deacons assisted the male deacons with various responsibilities in service to the church. Within these responsibilities, the author of 1 Timothy sought to emphasise the respectful attitude, which was to accompany these women in service, to take their responsibilities seriously out of reverence for God, being faithful to Him. Understanding that women are relational creatures by nature, cautioning how they spoke would have been an essential part of their discipline. 3.4.3 Titus 2:3-5: Mentoring Women As previously discussed, a distinct group of women called widows operated within the life of the church as intercessors. Other women operated within the church as servants or deacons. However, there is a special call to older women, that of mentoring (Titus 2:3-5). This call is not distinguished as an official office within the church but rather it is an encouragement by the author to Titus to teach older women to take heed to the way they lives their lives so that they can train the younger women accordingly. This is an invaluable ministry according to Schreiner (1991:222-223). The responsibility of older women to instruct the younger women regarding a life of godliness is understood as a role of mentorship. Smith (2000:157) indicates the action being translated in verse four as “an apprenticeship style of teaching, personal demonstration and assistance.” Patterson (1995) calls this spiritual mothering, “a relationship that suggests training in order to develop sound judgment and wisdom.” She goes on to point out that the older women were not necessarily limited by their age but 93
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THE BIBLICAL ROLE OF THE PASTOR’S
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ACKOWLEDGEMENTS To my wonderful hus
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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTROD
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2.4.3 Do you enjoy your role as the
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CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION 5.1 Review of
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wife reveals that her role is poorl
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Whether through particular need or
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local church, with special referenc
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1.2.3. Methodology for Chapter 3: A
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CHAPTER 2 Situation Analysis: The P
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This chart indicates that the major
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The wives interviewed for this rese
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identifies some key issues with reg
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not specifically selected; they wer
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200 congregants were nominally invo
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2.3.5 How many years have you been
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Two wives indicated that they were
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congregational members could be rai
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ecause their husbands were in essen
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2.3.13 Do you believe Scripture tea
Page 41 and 42: and yet were called upon to fulfil
Page 43 and 44: needs also to be clear as to what s
Page 45 and 46: It should be noted that an informal
Page 47 and 48: suitable to each wife could be impo
Page 49 and 50: eason or another must work but inev
Page 51 and 52: 23B3w: I feel better now as I have
Page 53 and 54: 23C2y: Developing relationships wit
Page 55 and 56: ecause certain things are left undo
Page 57 and 58: 2.4.7 Have you established any boun
Page 59 and 60: 2.4.8 To what extent is the church
Page 61 and 62: 22B3q: Yes, I believe the church do
Page 63 and 64: 2.4.11 What message would you wish
Page 65 and 66: as a church member or Christian and
Page 67 and 68: immediate family requirements, this
Page 69 and 70: 22B3q: I do regret not having the t
Page 71 and 72: ministry and afford all time and ev
Page 73 and 74: 2.5 Identifying the Role of the Pas
Page 75 and 76: CHAPTER 3 A Biblical Perspective on
Page 77 and 78: everything was very good. Sailhamer
Page 79 and 80: helper has often brought the connot
Page 81 and 82: elationship. For the purpose of thi
Page 83 and 84: Patterson’s article (1991:369) pr
Page 85 and 86: creatures and therefore find it nat
Page 87 and 88: church so that a foundation for the
Page 89 and 90: teaching began to create conflict a
Page 91: 3.4.2 1 Timothy 3:11: The Female De
Page 95 and 96: feminist theology, women in leaders
Page 97 and 98: public duty than any Christian woma
Page 99 and 100: Edwards and Mathews (2002:27) descr
Page 101 and 102: move outward to help future pastors
Page 103 and 104: The majority of pastors’ wives wh
Page 105 and 106: 4.2.1. Directives to the Body of Ch
Page 107 and 108: within a job portfolio of a deacon.
Page 109 and 110: within the church as God enables th
Page 111 and 112: Events of encouragement may differ
Page 113 and 114: Bare (a pastor’s wife herself) ev
Page 115 and 116: can place her trust. It is vital th
Page 117 and 118: Two books of exceptional value rega
Page 119 and 120: maintain your spiritual self must b
Page 121 and 122: 4.4.5. Mentoring 28 A mentoring pro
Page 123 and 124: consistent encouragement. Pastors
Page 125 and 126: wives and to what extent wives unde
Page 127 and 128: perceived limitations of this role.
Page 129 and 130: Roberts (1995) and Dobson (2001) of
Page 131 and 132: Works Cited Adams, Jay E. 1984. She
Page 133 and 134: Fitzpatrick, Elyse M. 2003. Helper
Page 135 and 136: Women in the Early Church: Christia
Page 137 and 138: Roberts, Wes. 1995. Support your lo
Page 139 and 140: IL: Christianity Today, Inc. Online
Page 141 and 142: Appendix 2 Additional reading regar
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Grade 12 3,351 14.99 4,684 20.95 8,
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HOUSING PROFILE Type of Dwelling, O
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N.G. Church Somerset- West C/O Dirk
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11. Describe your role in the local
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8. Would you consider yourself the
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1962: The Role of the Minister’s
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Appendix 8: Online Support for Past
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