Question: Should church officers be celibate?

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Question: Should church officers be celibate?

In Paul’s last epistles, which were written to Timothy and Titus, he places emphasis on the need for marriage

In listing the qualities necessary for a bishop, Paul includes being married (see 1 Timothy 3꞉2

) and being a good leader over his house: “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3꞉5

cf. Titus 1꞉5–9

). Even those called “deacons” in that day (the Greek literally means “one who serves” or a “helper”) were to be married and have orderly households. (See 1 Timothy 3꞉10–13

.)

Notes