In our study of the qualifications of elders we have researched all of the qualifications other than the two that deal with a man’s children. These two qualifications, listed in 1 Timothy 3:4, (“one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence”), and Titus 1:6, (“having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination”), are the most difficult for Christians to understand.
We have already mentioned the importance of avoiding speculation. It is a mistake to try to determine the “Why?” of a qualification, unless that “Why?” is stated in the text itself. Of course, there is an indication of this in 1 Timothy 3:5, “for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?”
There are a number of different ideas as to what is intended by these two qualifications in God’s list. It will take several articles to deal with them fully, so please be patient as we write on this matter for the next several weeks.
The first question we want to deal with is probably the easiest to explain. When the word “children” is used in both passages, does the plural term (in the English) preclude a man serving who only has one child? In other words, as our title states, Is a single child … children?
First, we acknowledge the argument that God uses the plural here because having more than one child proves a man more capable of ruling his house, and therefore better able to “take care of the church of God.” While it may be true that a man with several challenges proves himself in a way that a man with a single child does not, this in no way tells us whether it is a requirement of God. It is mere speculation. While some contend that God used the plural because he wants men who have shown this capability, the text in no way indicates that such is true. It may be what we think His motive to be, but it is not stated as such.
In fact, the Greek indicates something entirely different. Please consider carefully the following:
First, the word translated “children” in 1 Timothy 3:4 and Titus 1:6 is teknon. It is a common word found in scripture, used a total of 99 times. Interestingly, in the two passages before us, it is a singular noun. The actual designation is singular neuter. In the Greek New Testament, the word teknon is used both to refer to a single child, and to multiple children.
Strong defines the term: a child (as produced): – child, daughter son.
Thayer’s definition is similar: offspring; plural children. A) universally and without regard to sex; B) specifically, a male child, a son.
It must be understood that the Greek language is different from the English in that the same term is used to refer to a single child, and multiple children. Hence, context is needed to determine which is appropriate.
In some cases, the usage is obviously plural, referring to many more than one:
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(Matthew 3:9), “and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
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(Romans 8:16), “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
In other cases, the exact same word is used to indicate a single child.
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(Luke 1:7), “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.”
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(1 Corinthians 4:17), “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord.” (Notice here the word son is used in the translation rather than child, simply because Timothy was a male).
Interestingly, there are some verses where the word is used twice, and is translated children and child in the same verse! One example of this:
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(Matthew 10:21), “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.”
Finally, there are many times in scripture where the plural (children) are used as designation from one child to many. Examples:
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(Luke 20:31), “Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died.” (Consider, in this scenario, a single child would have sufficed as an heir).
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(1 Corinthians 7:14), “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.” (A single child is as holy as multiple children).
Please take the time to read each of these to see other examples: (Matthew 22:24; Luke 11:13; 14:26; 18:29; Acts 21:21; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:1,4; Colossians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:11; 1 Timothy 5:4).
The same construction used in the verses above are present in our texts. When the reference is to a family in general, the plural is used in our translations to include both those who have multiple children, and those who have only a single child. There is nothing in the qualifications that preclude a man serving as an elder who has only one child.
