1 Timothy 3:2 – Irreprehensible, the husband of one wife.

The supervisor, then, must be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife, sober, sane, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach.

As in Titus 1, we find here a list of qualities that may be expected of “the supervisor”. The two descriptions also overlap to a large extent. But unlike in Titus 1, Timothy is not explicitly instructed here to appoint supervisors. That Timothy must appoint supervisors is at most assumed, because why else would Paul mention these quality requirements?

The qualities that Paul lists in the supervisor all flow logically from the work expected of him. The supervisor should see to it that the trustworthy word would be preached. But that is precisely why it is so important that it is not the supervisor himself and his behavior that is the subject of discussion.

He is also said to be a “husband of one wife”. It follows in any case that the supervisor is expected to be a man, but also monogamous. Apparently among the believers there were men who were married to multiple wives. Not ideal, but given the background and circumstances that was the way it was and Paul accepts this. But the supervisor would set a good example by demonstrating what it has been like “from the beginning” (Gen. 2:24).

Delen: