The Reading Titus 1:5-6

Question: If the Bible says “children”, then I don’t agree to select an appoint an ‘elder’ that has only one child! What does the Bible says? Does it say: Child or Children? Biblically, does it matter if the Elder has one or more than one child?

How Many children must the Elder have to be an Elder?

Some say it must mean multiple children, others say at least one. Among all the qualifications for elders, the one whose meaning is perhaps most disputed is “having faithful children.” Different interpretations place the emphasis and meaning on each different word in that 3-word phrase. Some say it must mean multiple children, others say at least one. Some say every child of the elder must be a truly faithful Christian. Others say that once they leave the house, they no longer count.

Let me give you the answer for these so- called controversial problems. Many men who really qualify for the office of Elder, have not been able to develop their talent because of the simple fact that they have only ONE child. What is the real answer to this question? Is it Child or Children? What does the Bible say about it?!

How many children must an elder have? Before we can even begin looking at the qualifications at hand, we need to answer this question. How “children” is used today. “On Sunday, children eat for free.” We understand that if someone only has one child, that child still gets to eat free. If we said “all those with children need to sign something,” it would be understood that someone with one child still needed to sign it as well. We use the phrase “children” to refer to offspring, whether many, or an only child.

How “children” was used in the Bible. Genesis 21:5-7 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” 7 She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.” She used “children” in the plural, though she only had one child, Isaac.

How “children” was used in the Bible. I Timothy 5:3-4 3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. IF “children” must always mean multiple children, then... The widow’s only son has no responsibility to care for his mother. In fact, the widow’s one son, by inference, would be sinning by taking care of her, because the command is for CHILDREN (plural) to take care of her.

How “children” was used in the Bible. Before we consider this further, let’s look at other verses in the same chapter. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. She must have been the wife of one husband (a dedicated wife). She must have raised “children.” So does that mean if she only raised one child, the church cannot support her?

How “children” was used in the Bible. Before we consider this further, let’s look at another couple verses in the same chapter. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. If this means she must have raised multiple children, then the church SINS by supporting a widow who only had one child.

How “children” was used in the Bible. Before we consider this further, let’s look at another couple verses in the same chapter. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. That also means that her one child has no responsibility to support her (I Timothy 5:4).

How “children” was used in the Bible. Before we consider this further, let’s look at another couple verses in the same chapter. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. Therefore, if “children” must mean more than one child, a widow who only had one child is left to fend for herself in a culture which allowed no property to be owned by a woman, and most women were not permitted to have jobs.

How “children” was used in the Bible. Before we consider this further, let’s look at another couple verses in the same chapter. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. Then, the church must let this woman die of starvation or exposure, even if she has been a faithful Christian all her life!

“Children” can be used in the Bible to refer to an only child or multiple children. The only child of a widow has the responsibility to care for her. Sarah only had one child, but used the plural word “children.” “Children” was used in the Bible the same way we use it today.

Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV) 4  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. But if it is only one child, don’t worry, provoke him to wrath! Does that logic make sense? The same rule applies, child or children, we must not provoke them!

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) 6  Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. But if it is “children”, that is, many, do not train them in the way of the Lord. The rule from Proverbs will apply if it is only one child, according to many. No, this is wrong. The rule applies if it either one or many. That’s the way the Bible talks when it comes to children!!

Colossians 3:20 (NKJV) 20  Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. But Kelsey Lynne, in your case, you are an only child. Do not obey your parents because Paul says: “children”. Does that make sense? Many have hindered good men from becoming elders, simply because they make rules where there are NO RULES!

Matthew 19:14 (NKJV) 14  But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Oh, by the way, if it is only one, don’t come to me. I’ll take many, but not one.

Practical Application: It would be better for an elder to have multiple children for a few reasons: Children have different personalities, and that experience would help him in dealing with the different personalities within the congregation.

Practical Application: It would be better for an elder to have multiple children for a few reasons: Children have differences with each other (arguments, etc...) and helping his children overcome these differences would better prepare him for helping members in the congregation overcome their differences.

Practical Application: It would be better for an elder to have multiple children for a few reasons: Having multiple children would eliminate the “question” regarding whether Paul requires multiple children or not for eldership.

Practical Application: It would be better for an elder to have multiple children for a few reasons: However, because of the way the Bible uses the term, and the consequences that come from demanding multiple children (with the widow), a man with only one child can fit these qualifications.