1 Timothy 3:1

From regulations concerning public worship Paul naturally moves to. consideration of the qualifications of those who oversee the local congregation. The purpose of this section is to give the local congregation the information it needs to select qualified men for this office. It is clear that Timothy was to be partly involved in the selection and appointment of elders and deacons, as was Titus (Titus 1:5).

1 Timothy 3:1 “It is. trustworthy statement”:. statement that can be relied upon (1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8). The following is very important and worthy of confidence.

1 Timothy 3:1 “If any man”: Clearly, the elder must be. man (1 Timothy 3:2). Notice the word “any”; as long as. man was qualified he could serve, regardless of his social and economic background.

1 Timothy 3:1 “Aspires”: “To stretch oneself, that is, reach out after (long for)”. OREGO: to reach or stretch out, signifying the mental effort of stretching oneself out for. thing, or longing after it (Vine, “Desire” p. 298). “It points to an aspiration such as causes. young man to study, labor, and sacrifice in order to equip himself for leadership in the church” (Hiebert p. 63). Becoming qualified for this office and the office itself demand an output of energy. “The overseership is not. mere honor to be enjoyed. It is. good work, but it is work” (Kent p. 124).

1 Timothy 3:1 “He desires to do”: To set the heart upon, that is, long for. EPITHUMEO: to desire earnestly.

This does not mean that he campaigns for it like. politician, but on the other hand, it is not. "last second thought" either. He who will serve with the attitude " if you cannot find anyone else ", is lacking in the desire department. The same type of desire is found in 1 Peter 5:2 “ not of constraint, but willingly”. Translations here: “Not as though it were forced upon you” (Gspd); “Not reluctantly” (Wey); “Not because you are compelled” (TCNT).

1 Timothy 3:1 “To the office”: The phrase, “office of. overseer” is actually one word in the Greek and is perhaps best-translated “overseership”. “Remember, it is the ‘function' of overseeing that is emphasized in this word” (Reese p. 109). “Position or office as an overseer” (Arndt p. 299).

1 Timothy 3:1 “Overseer”: The term “overseer” is equivalent to the term “bishop” (KJV), and it refers to the same function or office as the terms “elder” and “pastor”. See Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5 ff and 1 Peter 5:1. It was not until post-apostolic times that men made “bishop” an office of higher rank than “elder”. Reese notes, “When the term ‘overseer' or ‘bishop' appears in our New Testaments, we must not identify those men with the modern ‘bishops' who exercise authority over many churches in. given geographical area. The ‘overseeing' was concerned only with the members of the congregation who selected the overseer. There were, in apostolic times, no lower orders of ‘clergy' in. whole ‘diocese' over whom the ‘bishop' ruled” (p. 109). In the New Testament we find. plurality of such men overseeing only one local congregation (1 Peter 5:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 1:1; Acts 20:17).

“It must not be thought that Paul is here in. Timothy calling for the initial organization of the church at Ephesus. According to Acts 20:1. the church at Ephesus had elders some eight or more years before. Timothy was written. What Paul is doing is instructing the church that only qualified men are to fill this office” (Reese p. 110).

1 Timothy 3:1 “It is. fine work”: This means that the work is not only “good” intrinsically, but outwardly also. “It is attractive to the beholders. The overseership is not only beneficial to the one possessing it, but if properly exercised is appreciated by those who behold it. Sincere Christians recognize the high calling of their elders, and thank God for them.

The man who desires to be an elder has noble ideals. “It is not an easy or lucrative position, but it is. good work. It was. difficult and often thankless task, full of risk and danger; this might well cause. man to shrink from it. Apparently Paul felt it necessary to dwell on the spiritual glory of such. vocation, which ought to outweigh all the counsels of worldly prudence” (Hiebert p. 64). The office of an elder will involve “work” (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:13).