Is it proper for a pastor be Single

[Salty]

John of Japan on another thread stated:
"As a senior in high school I began praying for God's will for a wife for me. I was perfectly willing to serve God with or without a wife. All I wanted was God's will for me, and I prayed in that way. My prayer was, "Lord, lead me to the wife you have for me in such a way that everyone knows you did it, so you get the glory." I prayed this for 9 years, and then God answered."



Paul tells Timothy that a pastor should be the husband of one wife. (I Tim 3:3)
So is this a commandment that a pastor must have a wife. or....

Does the same apply to a missionary?

 

[Reynolds]

Paul also said it is best to not marry but only marry if you burn in your flesh with uncontrollable passion.

 

[Charlie24]

Paul also said it is best to not marry but only marry if you burn in your flesh with uncontrollable passion.

When Paul said that he said that he spoke by permission and not by commandment.

It was Paul's personal opinion, and it appears by the Holy Spirit giving him that permission He considered it good advise.

 

[Ben1445]

To say that one must be married is to say that Paul was not qualified.

Paul said it was best if people were not cambered with the responsibilities of this world so that they could focus better on the next.
Paul also taught against forbidding to marry.

Paul had a balance. So should we.

 

[Salty]

OPPS - sorry, somehow, I had left "Single"' off the title !
Just corrected it!

 

[JonC]

John of Japan on another thread stated:
"As a senior in high school I began praying for God's will for a wife for me. I was perfectly willing to serve God with or without a wife. All I wanted was God's will for me, and I prayed in that way. My prayer was, "Lord, lead me to the wife you have for me in such a way that everyone knows you did it, so you get the glory." I prayed this for 9 years, and then God answered."



Paul tells Timothy that a pastor should be the husband of one wife. (I Tim 3:3)
So is this a commandment that a pastor must have a wife. or....

Does the same apply to a missionary?

I believe Paul was prohibiting polygamy, not recommending that pastors or missionaries should marry.

The reason I believe this is Paul was single and he recommended that Chriatians who are single remain so in order not to divide their attention or responsibilities between ministry and family.