1 Timothy 3:11–“women” or “wives”

Richard Barcellos:

The word “women” (NASB 1995) and “wives” (NKJV and ESV) is the translation of the Greek word Γυναῖκας (Gynaikas). This same Greek word is used in 1 Timothy 3:2: “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2, NASB 1995); “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2, NKJV); “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2, ESV); δεῖ οὖν τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ἀνεπίλημπτον εἶναι, μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρα (1 Tim. 3:2). It is of interest to note that at 3:2 it is translated as “wife” in the NASB 1995, NKJV, and ESV. In fact, it is translated “wife” at 3:2 in all the major English translations I checked. This same Greek word is also translated “wife” in 3:12 (“Deacons must be husbands of only one wife” (1 Tim. 3:12, NASB 1995). Paul uses the same Greek word in 1 Timothy 5:9, “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man” (1 Tim. 5:9, NASB 1995) and Titus 1:6, “namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, (Titus 1:6, NASB 1995). Both instances are translated “wife.” He does the same thing outside the Pastoral Epistles: Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22, NASB 1995; he uses the same Greek word in Col. 3:18 and it is translated “wives” there as well).

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