1 Timothy 3:1-7

III. CHURCH OFFICERS 3:1-16

A.

Office of the Overseer (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

1.

THE ELDER. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Text 3:1-7

1 Faithful is the saying, if a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; 4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Thought Questions 3:1-7

63.

Why use the prefatory words: Faithful is the saying?

64.

Why would this be such a desirable work? Is this a work, or an office?

65.

Is the bishop the same man as the elder? Prove your answer.

66.

No man can be completely without reproach; how shall we understand this phrase?

67.

Does the text say an elder must be a married man? Explain.

68.

Explain in your own words the meaning of the term temperate.

69.

In what particulars must a bishop be sober-minded?

70.

Are we discussing ideals, or actual essential qualifications?

71.

In what sense must a bishop be orderly?

72.

How would it be known that a man was given to hospitality?

73.

Some elders are apt not to teach; explain the phrase apt to teach.

74.

How would one serving as an elder, ever be involved in an accusation of being quarrelsome over wine?

75.

How are we to define and apply the term striker as here used?

76.

Show the contrast between a striker and one who is gentle.

77.

Almost every leader in the church has been accused of being contentious at one time or another; how shall we decide who is and who is not?

78.

What are the symptoms of one who is sick with love for money?

79.

In what sense is a man to rule his own house? Cf. 1 Timothy 5:14.

80.

Does Paul mean by the qualifications that a man must be married and have a family to be an elder?

81.

Who determines whether children are in subjection?

82.

What is the condemnation of the Devil? Why would a novice be particularly susceptible?

83.

How does, the reproach of the Devil differ from, the condemnation of the Devil?

Paraphrase 3:1-7

1 When about to elect bishops, thou shouldst remember that this saying is true, if one earnestly seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a work, which, though very laborious, is both honourable and beneficial, as it promotes the glory of God and the good of mankind.
2 Therefore a bishop ought to be free from blame; the husband of one wife, at a time; attentive to this duty and to his people; prudent in his conduct; of comely behaviour; hospitable to strangers; fit to teach, by having good knowledge of the things he is to teach, a clear manner of expressing his thoughts, and an earnest desire to instruct the ignorant.
3 He must not be addicted to wine, nor of such a hasty temper as to be a striker of those who provoke him, or one who gains money by sinful, or even dishonourable occupations, but equitable in judging of the offences which any of his flock may commit; not a noisy, abusive, quarrelsome talker, nor covetous in his dealings.
4 He must be one who possesseth such wisdom and firmness as to govern properly his own family. In particular, he must have his children in subjection to him; as becometh the gravity of his character, and his reputation for prudence.
5 For if one be not capable of governing so small a society as his own family, but suffers his children to be disobedient and vicious, how shall he govern in a proper manner that greater and more important society, the church of God?
6 A bishop must not be one newly converted, lest being puffed up with pride on account of his promotion, he fall into the punishment inflicted on the devil.
7 Moreover, before his conversion, he must have behaved in such a manner as even to have a good testimony from the heathens; that he may not be liable to reproach for the sins he committed before his conversion, and fall into the snare of the devil, who by these reproaches may tempt him to renounce the gospel.

Comment 3:1-7

1 Timothy 3:1. There is some little disagreement as to whether we should relate the expression. Faithful is the saying.. with but she shall be saved through her child bearingor if a man seeketh the office of a bishop he desireth a good work. We prefer to associate the expression with 1 Timothy 3:1 rather than 1 Timothy 2:15, although we offer nothing but opinion for the preference. There are three other times when the expression Faithful is the saying is used: 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8. They offer no help, for the expression: faithful saying both follows and precedes in these examples. Whatever else we can say, it is certain that the office of overseer is one to be greatly desired.

It should not be necessary to say that there is but one office for elder and overseer. Here are two names for the same officeCf. Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28 and Titus 1:5 for interchangeable use of the terms.

Paul writes of a strong desire for this office and work. This desire should be in the candidate, it should arise as he contemplates the work he is to do. The glory of service and work for the Lord should ever be before possible candidates for the office of elder. In most places neither the office nor the work are well enough known to create any desire for the overseership. When elders are doing their God-given work among the congregation, men will want to be like them. We read of elders visiting the sick, (James 1:27; James 5:12; James 5:14) feeding the flock on the word and protecting the flock from enemies(Acts 20:29-31). When such work is being done or pointed out as being necessary, men will be attracted to the office. Let us mark carefully both words: it is worthy, and it is work.

1 Timothy 3:2. We offer no special outline of arrangement for the qualifications (although we have read a good number of arbitrary groupings), Let us simply proceed in the order Paul gives:

without reproachWe ought to say that it is our firm persuasion that Paul expected the congregations in Ephesus to be able to clearly see and approve every one of these qualifications in the lives of every one of their elders, Indeed with only two exceptions (apt to teach and not a novice) all the qualifications are to be found in all Christians,

Without reproach means not to be taken hold uponif one is to be taken hold of there must be a handle, i.e. some obvious flaw in his character upon which men seize to bring upon him blame and reproach. The candidate for this office should be without a handle.

the husband of one wifeThere is so much controversy and contention on some points of Scripture that one hesitates to advance any opinion. It has been my careful conclusion that Paul is discussing the moral quality of the candidate for the eldership. He is saying such a man must be the husband of only ONE wifenot more than one, The elder must be a one woman type man, both in thought and practice. A most thorough-going study of this subject can be found in Scriptural Elders and Deacons by H. E. Phillips, pp. 97ff, published by Phillips Publications, Gainesville, Florida. This is the most complete review of the subject I have foundalthough I do not concur in his conclusion.

temperateThe word here translated temperate is translated sober later in the qualifications. Originally the word meant a complete abstinence from wine. Here it is used metaphorically of our attitude of life, It is translated vigilant in the King James Version. Perhaps the English meaning associated with the words sober and vigilant, carries a complete definition of this qualification.

2 Timothy 4:5 compares very well with 1 Timothy 3:2. The thought of being temperate refers to an attitude of mind which is reflected in the life. This attitude is not of just taking a little, but of sober, careful judgment in all matters,

sober-mindedbalanced judgment; not carried away by every wind of doctrine. Men are needed in the church today who hold such deep-seated convictions that no amount of difficulty will move them from their faith and work.

orderlythis has more than reference to appearance, although we believe it relates to that. An unordered, slovenly appearance is usually indicative of an unordered, slovenly mind. The elder should be a true gentleman in the best use of the word.

hospitableLenski has wisely observed that hospitable and apt to teach belong together as something the elder is to impart to others. Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 2:9 should be read concerning hospitality. The social and political circumstances of Paul's day, to say nothing of the economic status of the Christians, would make hospitality especially welcome. The genuine desire to make our house the home of needy, Christian strangers, rich or poor, is so very sadly lacking and sorely needed in the church today.

apt to teachThis does not refer to a willingness to teach, but to the ability to do so. As to whether a man has such ability can best be decided by those with whom he labors and whom he tries to teach. Each and every elder should have such ability. Read 1 Timothy 5:17 as to the teaching responsibility.

1 Timothy 3:3. no brawler or quarrelsome over wineThis is to say no winebibber; we would refer to him today as a wino. What conditions prevailed in the church that such a prohibition needed to be included?

No striker; but gentleThese two qualifications should be considered together. A striker is one who is ready with the fists at the slightest provocation. Some have learned to use their tongues instead of their fists but they are still a striker. In contrast is the one who is gentle toward all. Here is the thought of yielding but not compromising.

Not contentiousNot one who likes to fight, but one who does not like to fightnot the fighting kind.

No lover of moneyOf course this refers to loving what money can do. It is this quality of heart that makes a man covetous. The idolatry of money-worship is ever near us.

1 Timothy 3:4. one that ruleth well his own householdThe thought of overseeing in the household or family situation in the same manner as in the church situation is the point here. Go home with the prospective elder and observe the conduct of his wife and children. Do they respect him? Is he regarded as competent by those who know him best? The obedience of the children should be held as a serious responsibility by the Christian father.

1 Timothy 3:5. If a man fails at home he will surely fail in public. The care of the church is of a much more complicated nature than that of the home, and yet it compares favorably in several particulars The inescapable conclusion is: to be deficient in one is to be deficient in both.

1 Timothy 3:6. Just who is a novice? When is a man to be considered a new convert? This is surely a relative matter, The appointment of elders on the first missionary journey in the churches of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (Cf. Acts 14:23), is a point in question. How long had such men been Christians? We could assume that some of them were elders in the synagogue before they became Christians, but that would only be an assumption. The power of pride must here be considered. How large a part does ego have in a man's character? Some men are far more vain than others. How long will it be before the power of Christ in the heart will overcome the power of pride? Such questions must be answered before we can refer to such a man as a novice, or not a novice.

the condemnation of the devilIs this referring to the particular punishment God will give the devil? Or does this mean the condemnation brought on by the devil? The third possibility refers to the judgment or punishment meted out by the devil on those who fell under his power. We prefer the first of thesei.e., the particular judgment God has reserved for Satan. This was brought about through the pride of Satan: he thought of himself much more highly than he ought to have thought; he assumed an office to which God had not appointed him; and in which he was not prepared to serve; for this cause God removed him from heaven. The new convert who is wrapped in his own pride, as if wrapped in fog, cannot be a proper candidate for the office of elder, and is about to repeat Satan's sin, and if so would receive Satan's condemnation. How much better to anticipate and prevent, than not to anticipate and regret.

1 Timothy 3:7. Prior to his conversion, and subsequent to it, the candidate for the eldership must have conducted himself in such a manner, that those non-Christian friends and neighbors who knew him best, would be able to tell how uprightly and unblameably he conducted himself. We are not referring to his Christian friends or neighbors, but rather to those on the outside. Can those who work with him or near him say of him that he does his work well and treats his fellow workmen in a fair and unselfish manner? The reproach and snare of the devil is not at all the same as the condemnation of the devil.

If a man were appointed to the office of elder, and yet he was the butt of ridicule and jokes by those on the outside because of his inconsistent conduct, then indeed he has fallen into the devil's trap, and justly deserves to be reproached or accused by Satan. The devil sets the trap and then reproaches those who fall into it. This snare or trap is prepared each time we profess one thing and live another. What a pit in which to fall!

Fact Questions 3:1-7

51.

What is the faithful saying, and why so called?

52.

Is an elder and a bishop the same man? Prove your answer.

53.

How does one obtain a strong desire for the office?

54.

Give the meaning of the expression, without reproach?

55.

Could any single man be an elder? Explain.

56.

Meaning of the expression, temperate?

57.

If a man was temperate wouldn-'t he already be sober-minded?

58.

Aren-'t some unorderly men doing more for God than some orderly ones? How does this relate to the qualifications?

59.

Is there some way in which we can tell when a man is given to hospitality? If so, how?

60.

Who shall decide if a man is apt to teach? How?

61.

Explain how a brawler could even be considered for the eldershipto say nothing of being qualified for the office.

62.

What type of gentleness must be manifest in the character of the elder?

63.

When is a man contentious and not just constructively critical?

64.

Is it possible to love money, and still not have much of it? What is the deeper difficulty?

65.

Who would venture to say when any man ruled well his own household? How could this knowledge be obtained? What about invading the privacy of the home?

66.

What are the symptoms of being puffed up?

67.

Satan has set a very deadly snareit is discussed in the 7th verse. Explain how to avoid it.

BALLOT
ELDER

NAME_____________________________________

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER

(Check on line where candidate qualifies)

Positive qualifications

1.

He must desire the office and seek it. 1 Timothy 3:1. This would suggest that a man should consider the office one of privilege, and he should constantly be preparing his life so as to be a fit candidate for it.

2.

The bishop must be without reproach or blameless, 1 Timothy 3:2 a; Titus 1:6 a; 7a, He would hold this position before man and not God, for no one is blameless or without reproach before God, As the persons of the congregation, where he is contemplating the office of elder, view his life, they should be able to find nothing blameworthy about it.

3.

The husband of one wife. 1 Timothy 3:2 a; Titus 1:6 b.

4.

The elder must be temperate. 1 Timothy 3:2 c; Titus 1:8 f. Three thoughts are expressed in the Greek: Having power over one's self, abstaining from wine, curbing one's desires or impulses.

5.

Sober-minded. 1 Timothy 3:2 c; Titus 1:8 c. The thought in the Greek is, of sound mind, sane in one's senses, (Cf. Ephesians 5:4).

6.

Orderly, 1 Timothy 3:2 c. Of good behavior, modest.

7.

Given to hospitality. 1 Timothy 3:2 f; Titus 1:8 a. (Cf. 1 Timothy 5:10).

8.

He must be a sound, capable, and willing teacher of the Word, 1 Timothy 3:2 g; Titus 1:9.

9.

Not given to wine (K.J.V.); no brawler (R.V.) 1 Timothy 3:3 a; Titus 1:7 d. A brawler is one who quarrels noisily, creates an uproar or starts a row.

10.

He must not be a striker. 1 Timothy 3:3 b; Titus 1:7 c. The word in the Greek means, smiter, pugnacious, quarrelsome.

11.

Gentle. 1 Timothy 3:3 c. Equitable, fair, mild, The bishop must be willing to be taught; willing to admit error and to change his mind; not weak but approachable.

12.

He must rule his own house. 1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6 c.

13.

He must have a good testimony from without. 1 Timothy 3:7. He must be one who practices what he preaches.

14.

A lover of good. Titus 1:8 b.

15.

He must be holy. Titus 1:8 e, (Cf. Hebrews 12:14)

16.

He must be just. Titus 1:8 d. Righteous, observing divine and human laws, upright, passing just judgment on others. (Cf. John 7:24).

Negative qualifications

1.

Not contentious. 1 Timothy 3:3 d. Given to angry debate, quarrelsome. One who loves strife and wrangles over non-essentials, could not qualify as a bishop.

2.

No lover of money. 1 Timothy 3:3 c; Titus 1:7 f; 1 Peter 5:2.

3.

Not a novice. 1 Timothy 3:6. A new convert, a beginner would be considered a novice.

4.

Not self-willed. Titus 1:7 b. Self-pleasing, arrogant.

5.

Not soon angry. Titus 1:7 c. Easily provoked, irritable.

6.

His wife must not be a slanderer, but grave, temperate, and faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11.