Bible Strands
Titus 1:6
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town in Crete after leaving him there to complete unfinished work. This directive establishes the immediate context for defining the moral and domestic qualifications of church leadership.
The words — The Greek term ἀνέγκλητος (anegklētos) literally means "blameless" or "not open to accusation," while μιᾶς γυναικὸς (mias gynaikos) translates directly to "of one wife." These terms set a strict boundary for the elder's marital status and public reputation.
The thread — The same marital and household qualifications appear in the overseer list of 1 Timothy 3:2 and the deacon qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:12. The requirement for children not to be open to accusation of indiscretion parallels the family integrity emphasized in Proverbs 28:7.
Why it lands — The text requires church leaders to demonstrate proven character and domestic stability before assuming authority. Readers must evaluate leadership qualifications against concrete moral and familial standards rather than personal preference or charisma.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- 1 Timothy 3:12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
- Proverbs 28:7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
- Titus 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
- Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
- Leviticus 21:7 A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.
- Leviticus 21:14 He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,
- 1 Samuel 2:11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy began ministering to the LORD before Eli the priest.
- 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.