The Minister’s Helpmeet -- By: Joel R. Beeke

Journal: Puritan Reformed Journal
Volume: PRJ 05:2 (Jul 2013)
Article: The Minister’s Helpmeet
Author: Joel R. Beeke


The Minister’s Helpmeet

Joel R. Beeke

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

The wife of a pastor has a high calling. In some respects this calling is like that of any other Christian wife. God says in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Drink in those words: your husband needs you. You are God’s specially designed “help” for him, crafted to be “meet” or fitting, that is, corresponding to him as a man and his calling in the world. You must therefore fit your life to his as his helper. This is the calling of every wife.1

Yet, in other respects, a minister’s wife has a special calling because of the special nature of her husband’s calling. He bears special gifts, responsibilities, and honor within the church. If he serves well, he will receive a special crown of glory from the chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:5). Thus your calling as his wife engages you in special responsibilities and special honor. You are called to be his helpmeet in spiritual

character and supportive care. The heart of this is based on 1 Timothy 3:11. Though you as a Christian’s wife are called to many things, we will focus specifically on your calling as a minister’s helpmeet.

You may find it odd that I prefaced this article with a passage of Scripture that speaks about deacons. Don’t misunderstand; I’m not nominating any women for the office of deacon. Nor am I saying that a pastor is a deacon, for the Bible clearly teaches that the role of pastor or shepherd belongs to the category of elders or presbyters (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Pastors are teaching elders, a sub-class of elders or bishops who are called to labor in preaching and teaching...

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