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1 Timothy 3:1-7ESV If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Titus 1:5-9ESV This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instructions in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
The Qualifications of an Elder 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1-5-9
The Role of an Elder 1- Know their congregation 2- Put the congregations need above their own 3- Protect the congregation from false teaching 4- Search and bring back lost members
3 Types of Qualifications • Character • Family Life • Service
Character Qualifications Above reproach Sober minded Not arrogant Holy Upright Self-controlled Respectable Not a drunkard Not violent Gentle Not quarrelsome Not a lover of money Not a recent convert Thought of highly by those on the outside
Character Qualifications “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” - Galatians 5:25 Elders should be Spiritually Mature in these areas Elders should have Graduated in these areas
Not a Drunkard • “Not a drunkard” or “not given to wine” • “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” – 1 Timothy 5:23 • Greek = “not beside, by, or at wine” • For Christians, only drunkenness is a sin • For leaders, it appears a higher standard of complete abstinence is expected.
Character Qualifications Above reproach Sober minded Not arrogant Holy Upright Self-controlled Respectable Not a drunkard Not violent Gentle Not quarrelsome Not a lover of money Not a recent convert Thought of highly by those on the outside
Family Life Qualifications Husband of 1 wife Manages his own household well Children are believers Children are submissive
Husband of 1 Wife • Literally means, “a one woman man” • This eliminates woman from serving as elders • Phrase is used in the greek to describe sexual faithfulness and commitment in marriage. • Notice no other mention sexual purity in the list
Husband of 1 Wife • Can a man who was divorced before he was baptized and has since remarried be considered for an elder? • If we truly believe, LIKE WE SHOULD, that baptism puts to death the old man and brings for new life then why shouldn’t he?
Husband of 1 Wife • What if the elder’s spouse dies? Does he have to step down because he is no longer the husband of 1 wife? • This seems to be making the text say something that it doesn’t. • Was the man faithful while the wife was alive? • If yes, this should not disqualify him.
Children Who Believe • The word means “offspring” • Believe = Christian • An elder must have at least 1 child • That child must be a believer
Children Who Believe • How long does that child have to be a believer? Only while the child lives at home? • It is easy to drag your children to church • Shepherding your children from afar is the test • The members of the congregation do not live at your house • Your home is your first ministry
Service Qualifications Willingness Hospitable Able to teach
Hospitable • “A lover of strangers” • With not many hotels or restaurants, travelers had to rely on kind hearted people • The heart of the elder must be generous as defined by cultural standards
Able to Teach • Literally means “skilled in teaching” • The man knows the gospel and can defend it • If the man cannot explain the gospel or defend the gospel it will be hard to stop false teaching • Elders need to have a visible presence in the congregation as teachers. They will have a lot of wisdom and must share it.
Wrong Reason to Become an Elder • 1. The church needed at least 2 men so I decided to be number 2 • 2. Being an elder runs in the family • 3. I wanted to change some things I didn’t like • 4. Some people wrote my name down. I never thought about it until then, but since people voted for me okay. • 5. Somebody has to do it.
Wrong Reason to Select an Elder • 1. He’s old and has been here a long time • 2. Everyone likes him • 3. They’re my good friend • 4. He asked me to vote for him • 5. I had to write someone’s name down
