On this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by Marg Mowczko to discuss the topic of celibacy in the early church. They talk about how celibacy was viewed more positively in the ancient world than today and explore references to celibacy in pastoral epistles like 1 Timothy. They also help listeners understand the cultural context around "one woman husband" concepts that are often misinterpreted today considering biblical qualifications for leaders within the church.

Episode Breakdown:

1:04 – Celibacy in the early church and the book of 1 Timothy.
6:45 – What 1 Timothy has to say regarding marriage and leadership in the church.
12:54 – Ancient texts and marriage qualifications for church leaders.
20:08 – Paul’s views on marriage in the early church.
25:22 – Gender roles in leadership in the Bible.
31:09 – Paul’s teachings on marriage and leadership in the ancient world.

Episode Resources:

Marg Mowczko

Justinian - New Constitutions - Vol. 1

The Acts of Paul and Thecla

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.