Someone asked, “What is the role of an elder’s wife?” We will attempt to offer a consideration on which readers may desire to reflect.
Generally, the non-gender specific biblical qualifications for elders and deacons (e.g., “the husband of one wife”) ought to be the goals of every child of God (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Both Christian men and Christian women should pursue for themselves the virtues that the New Testament absolutely requires of elders (and their respective wives). Yes, a woman must mirror the godly qualities of her husband in order for him to be biblically qualified to serve as an elder. Ungodly, immoral or unruly wives and children disqualify men for appointment as elders.
There are some areas in particular where an elder’s wife participates with her husband in his ability to function well in his role as an elder. An elder’s wife doubtlessly assumes much of the responsibility regarding hospitality in the home, though an elder must be “hospitable” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). In addition, an elder’s wife bears a tremendous duty in the home for childrearing, though an elder must have “faithful children” (Titus 1:6). In a lengthier statement, the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 that an elder must be “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)” (NKJV). An elder’s wife contributes immeasurably toward that end.
Aside from the above or similar tasks in the home, an elder’s wife or several wives of elders, as such, do not have specific roles in a local congregation that are any different from what works in which older Christian women may be entrusted to do by the eldership. Older Christian women especially have a responsibility toward younger Christian women (Titus 2:3-5). Irrespective of age, though, every Christian is supposed to perform “good works” (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14; 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 2:12). Women, too, are required to do “good works” (1 Timothy 2:10; 5:9-10; Titus 2:7). Phoebe is an example of a sister in Christ especially serving or working within and for her local congregation (Romans 16:1).
Elders’ wives are likely to be of comparable age of their husbands – older – hence, experienced, as well as share the godly attributes of their husbands. Therefore, it should be of no surprise, then, that one or more congregational ‘Phoebes’ may be the wives of elders. Yet, simply being an elder’s wife or even a plurality of elders’ wives does not automatically bestow upon them roles in the local church.
