The Phrase "Husband of One Wife" in 1 Timothy 3:2

Abstract

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul mentions several criteria for persons to be elected as bishops. One of them is that a bishop should be the husband of one wife (1 Tim 3:2). Titus, who was summoned by Paul to appoint elders in different cities, was also given a list enumerating virtues to be found in future elders (Tit 1:5-9). Among these criteria is again the qualification to be "the husband of one wife" (Tit 1:6). Obviously, at that time the terms "bishop/overseer" and "elder" were still being used interchangeably, a fact which is also seen in Acts 20:17 and 28. A bishop or elder was to be the "husband of one wife." How should this phrase be understood?