THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
SPREADING THE SOUL-SAVING MESSAGE OF JESUs
(Chapter 3)
Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Timothy Sparks and Ben Bailey.
Timothy Sparks:
“This is a faithful saying, if a man desires the position of an overseer; he desires a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1). I’m Timothy Sparks.
Ben Bailey:
And I’m Ben Bailey, welcome to our study of 1 Timothy 3. Today’s broadcast is brought to you by loving, caring members of the churches of Christ in your area. They would like to invite you to stop by and visit with them. They will be glad to help you with your personal Bible study, with Bible questions, or in any way they can. We make available complimentary copies of our lessons on CD or DVD. If you would like a copy of any of these, you can go to our website at www.thegospelofchrist.com, fill out the request form you will find there, and we will send the items to you free of charge. We will even pay the postage for you. Also on our website, we have streaming audio and video lessons, which we hope will help you in your study of the Word of God.
In 1 Timothy 3, we find a vital study about elders in the Lord’s church. God established an office in the church known as the eldership. In Philippians 1:1, Paul set forth a brief outline of the various works and offices in the church when he said that there are to be bishops, deacons, and saints. A bishop (an overseer, elder, shepherd, or presbyter) is one who leads the congregation. Deacons are special servants who are charged with various responsibilities. Then, of course, all members of the church are sanctified, called to be Christians (Acts 11:26). In 1 Timothy 3, we find the qualifications of those who are to occupy the office of an elder. It is important to notice that not just any person can be an elder. It takes a person who is properly qualified, and one who is willing and ready to serve. It is interesting that in 1 Timothy 3:1, the very first qualification is this: “If a man desires the position of a bishop [overseer or elder], he desires a good work.” The first qualification for an elder is that he has to desire the work. The word “desire” suggests that it is a goal for which the man has been longing and preparing. It is something he really wants to do. This is quite the opposite of someone in a congregation suggesting that a man be installed as an elder who has never even considered holding that position before. The text in 1 Timothy 3:1 indicates that a person who is placed into the position of an elder must first desire to do the work of an elder. If someone is put into the position of an elder who does not actually desire the position, he not only is unqualified, but also may end up doing more harm than good.
Timothy Sparks:
Paul offers more specifics regarding the qualifications of an elder. In 1 Timothy 3:2, he says that an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, and temperate. These three characteristics make it clear that this should be a man who has a good reputation. When the text says that he is blameless, it means that he must not have any major accusations that can be brought against him. He has a good record of accomplishment. This is an individual who enjoys a good report, both in the church and in the community at large. He also must be the husband of one wife. Not just anybody can become an elder, an overseer, or a shepherd. An elder must be the husband of one wife. Obviously, then, women cannot be elders. According to the Bible, women cannot shepherd the flock of God. In other parallel passages in the New Testament, we see that an elder, a bishop, an overseer, and a shepherd are all the same as a pastor. These are different names used for the same office. A preacher is not a pastor. A preacher is an evangelist. But a shepherd, an overseer, a bishop, or an elder is a pastor. We find here that this overseer [elder, bishop, pastor] must be a man, but not an unmarried man. He must be the husband of one wife. In the Greek text, this word means a one-woman man. This carries with it certain implications. For example, it means that he must have a wife. A single individual who has never been married does not qualify. Additionally, this man cannot have multiple wives (polygamy). This individual must be a one-woman man. This raises the question of a man who was married, and who was installed as an elder, but whose wife dies during his tenure in that office. If a man must be the husband of one wife, does he meet this qualification? This text says clearly that he must be the husband of one wife. When his wife dies, he no longer has a wife. Otherwise, what do you do with the passages of Romans 7 and 1 Corinthians 7 which teach that as long as a man’s wife is still alive, he is bound to her, but if she dies, then he is no longer bound to her. If an elder’s wife dies, he is no longer married. Thus, he cannot serve as an elder. We also find in 1 Timothy 3:2 another quality that this individual must possess. He must be temperate. This refers to a man who can control his anger. Titus, in his list of qualifications for an elder, says that the man must not be “quick tempered” (Tit. 1:7). Rather, he is temperate and self-controlled. Thus, we learn from these first four qualifications that a man who is to serve as an elder must desire the office, be blameless, be the husband of one wife, and be temperate.
Ben Bailey:
Paul also says that a man who is to serve as an elder must be sober-minded (1 Tim. 3:2). The idea is that he is not giddy, flighty, or the type of person who looks at things in a way that is always humorous. He is someone who takes things seriously. If he is sober-minded, then he is on the alert, watchful, ready to deal with situations that arise, and ready to help someone who needs assistance. This does not mean that an elder has to go around with a sad face, that he cannot tell a joke, or that he cannot laugh. That is not what Paul is saying. His point is that when it comes to spiritual matters, an elder must be watchful, alert, and aware of what is going on. In short, he must be sober-minded. Paul also says that he must be a man “of good behavior.” This refers to his Christian example. How is the man viewed by the people around him the most, such as his family, friends, and coworkers? How do others view his conduct and his character? Is he of good behavior? Does he act in a kind way, a nice way? Is he trustworthy? Paul then uses an interesting word to describe the next qualification an elder must possess. Paul says that he must be “hospitable.” That word in the Greek is actually a combination of two words—the word for “stranger” and the word for “love of.” Thus, the elder must be a person who loves strangers. He is able to love those whom he has never seen or met—which, of course, would include all people. We learn from Jesus’ lesson in Luke 10 that anyone who is in need is our neighbor. Thus, an elder is the type of person who would help (and wants to help!) people he does not even know. We then come to a qualification that carries with it the idea of being able to teach. Some versions will say that an elder must be “apt to teach.” The idea is that whenever an elder is called upon, he is willing and able to teach. But being able to teach also carries with it the idea that an elder must know the Bible. Elders who do not know God’s Word are not qualified elders in God’s sight. Men who do not know the Scriptures, and who cannot support what they believe via the Scriptures, are men who have not developed their own belief system. Thus, they are men who are not ready to become elders. One day, if they keep studying and learning, perhaps they will be qualified. The job of an elder is a spiritual work. If we are in a spiritual battle, and if the Bible is our “battle plan,” then an elder must know the Bible well. In fact, we know from Titus 1:9-11 that an elder must know the Bible well enough to convict the gainsayer and convert those who have fallen away. Thus, an elder must be sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, and one who is able to teach.
Timothy Sparks:
Paul then says that this individual must not be given to wine (1 Tim. 3:3). “Not given to wine” means that this individual must not be an alcoholic. Some would say that this suggests that an elder may drink alcoholic beverages, as long as he “drinks in moderation.” This passage, however, does not justify “drinking in moderation.” As we learned from 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we are to abstain from “every form of evil.” Under such guidelines there would be any number things from which we should abstain, and drinking alcohol is certainly one of them. One who is qualified to be an elder must not be given to wine. He must not be addicted to wine, and he must not be an alcoholic. But there is more to it than that. What kind of reputation would a man have if he was seen in a bar, “just drinking in moderation”? Would people in the world, or in the church, view this man as “a holy individual”? I know of a situation where a man went to a foreign country. He had to go into the local pub to get decent drinking water because it was the only place where such water was available. He always asked just for a glass of water. The bartender repeatedly offered him a beer, but the man refused, explaining to the bartender that he did not drink alcoholic beverages. Finally, after this had gone on for quite some time, the bartender said, “Ah! You don’t drink because you are a righteous man.” This occurred in a society where just about everybody drank alcohol, and yet the bartender recognized that the man who did not drink alcoholic beverages had a higher standard. He was “a righteous man.” If an individual like a bartender would make that kind of comment concerning “just” drinking beer, how much more should it mean when we look at the quality of “not given to wine” that an elder must possess. He must not be given over to wine to any extent.
In 1 Timothy 3:3, we also learn that an elder is a person who is “not violent.” This is a person who does not have fits of rage. This is a man who is not going to abuse his wife. This is a man who is not going to be a brawler (the type of fellow who would go out and beat people up). He is “not violent” because he is in control of himself. Also, the text tells us that he must not be greedy. In Luke 12:15, Jesus makes it clear that we are to “beware of covetousness [greediness], for a person’s life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses.” An elder must not be an individual who pursues the almighty dollar, but who instead pursues almighty God. He is a man charged with overseeing “the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).
Ben Bailey:
The next qualification we see is positive in nature. An elder is one who must be gentle, which carries with it the idea of meekness (1 Tim. 3:3). Jesus said in Matthew 10:16 that we are to be “as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves.” How harmless is a dove? It is as harmless an animal as you can imagine. You have never heard of a dove hurting or harming anyone. That seems to be the idea here; Jesus is not saying that we are to be necessarily shy or sheepish, but that we must have ourselves under control. This is especially true of an elder. He must be a person who is gentle and meek. He may be one who possesses great strength, but he must be able to harness that strength, control it, and use it to the glory of God. Then Paul says that an elder must be one who is “not quarrelsome.” The idea is that he is not always going around trying to pick an argument or a fight, whether it is over spiritual matters or over other issues. What good has “arguing for the sake of arguing” ever accomplished? We are all for discussing the Bible, proving what the Bible says, and teaching the Bible. But if a person is always quarrelsome and contentious, you cannot help but wonder about their motives. Do they argue merely to prove themselves right and others wrong? Do they argue constantly, so that other people will look up to them and give them the honor and the glory for being “right”? The church needs people who are not constantly arguing. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul told Timothy not to get caught up in “fables, endless genealogies, or idle thoughts.” Rather, he was to give his time and energy to the work of God. Paul therefore says that an elder must be one who is not quarrelsome.
An elder also cannot be covetous. He must not be one who is “in it for what he can get out of it.” Just as he is a person who is not in it for greed, he also must be a man who is not covetous. This is especially important because elders frequently handle the church’s finances, and decide which works will be receiving financial support. Thus, an elder cannot be the type of person who is greedy or covetous. Instead, he needs to be a man who focuses on spiritual things, not earthly things. He will not be worried about having the biggest church building in town. That is not his concern; his concern is about saving souls, and about spending the Lord’s money wisely for that purpose. Paul goes on to say that an elder must be a man who rules his house well, having his children in submission (1 Tim. 3:4). The idea is that if a man cannot rule his own house, how, then, will be able to rule the house of God? An elder must not only have children, but he also must have the ability to deal with those children in a godly manner. While his children were in his home, he must have done everything within his power to make sure that those children had an opportunity to study the Bible. He needs to have done things like initiate home Bible studies, teach his children how to pray, and show them how to study the Bible. Additionally, he should have stressed to them that every time the church building doors were open, the family would be present for whatever activities were taking place. If a man decides to straighten up and do right later in life, but while his children were young he did not really live properly, is that man qualified to be an elder? No, he is not, because he did not lead his family properly when he had the opportunity. According to God’s Word, such a man would not be qualified to serve as an elder.
Timothy Sparks:
When we talk about the idea of a man having his own household in submission, we need to recognize that this is a good application for all Christians who have families. In fact, several of the qualifications for elders that Paul sets forth could apply to every faithful Christian. For example, a father should seek to discipline his children. He should seek to make sure that they are reared properly. The Bible makes it clear that when parents fail to discipline their children, they are leading those children to eventual shame. “A child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15). “He who spares his rod hates his son” (Prov. 13:24). Over and over we find those kinds of admonitions and warnings. Paul’s admonition for an individual to “rule his house well” is directed at the man who is going to become an elder. He needs to be in control of his own household. Else, how is he going to be able to deal with the affairs of the household of God? But Paul’s admonition here is good advice for all parents.
Then, Paul tells us that an elder must “not be a novice” (1 Tim. 3:6). The individual who desires to become an overseer must not be a newcomer to the faith. It will create serious problems if someone who is a new Christian seeks to handle the spiritual affairs of God’s people. An elder must be one who is rooted and grounded in the truth. That way, he will not be “blown about” by every wind of doctrine. He will not weaken when he is forced to confront and oppose error. Elders are the ones who must ensure that the Word is preached faithfully. They are to ensure that, as long as the preacher is not preaching and teaching error, then his proclamations must be supported. Elders also are the ones, however, who are to ensure that if a preacher teaches error, either the preacher must repent, or else he must be replaced. Elders have what is undoubtedly the most awesome responsibility on the planet. Thus, an elder cannot be a novice, “lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall in to the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). If he were a novice, he might become puffed up with pride, and he could fall into the same condemnation as the devil. What was the condemnation of the devil? The devil became arrogant, puffed up, and prideful in thinking that he could overthrow God. He let his own pride get in the way, and as a result, he fell into condemnation. Paul is saying that an elder who is a novice could follow the same path. An elder’s responsibility is not to seek out his own interest, but the interest of others. The position of being an elder is not to be worn as a badge of honor. It is not a position wherein an individual is to be exalted. It a position of service, in which a man is going to have tremendous responsibility, and in which he will be held accountable not only for his own soul, but also for the souls of those whom he oversees (Heb. 13:17).
Ben Bailey:
Paul mentioned that an elder must not be a novice. Sadly, there are some who have been in the church a long time, yet who have not grown as they should spiritually. If a person has been in the church for twenty or thirty years, but still has not grown, then they are still a novice.
Timothy Sparks:
Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby”(1 Pet. 2:2). There is a time for you to be a spiritual baby, but if you are a 35-year-old baby after you have been a Christian for most of that time, then there is some kind of problem. That is why the writer of Hebrews sternly rebuked some people by saying, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Heb. 5:12).
Ben Bailey:
The qualities that Paul discusses in 1 Timothy 3 are necessary for those who want to be elders. But many of them are applicable to all Christians. We would do well, in our own individual lives, to adopt the traits that might apply to us.
But as we talk about the qualifications of an elder, we also might discuss the actual role and work of an elder. I think that the work and role of an elder can be summed up in three words that are quite memorable. In Acts 20:28ff., Paul speaks to the elders, and tells them “Therefore, take heed….” Take heed of what? “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” An elder’s job is to heed. That is to say, he is to beware of, look out for, watch out for…. For what? God’s flock (i.e., His church). As a shepherd tends his flock, he is watching out for that flock. He protects it against predators that might attack the sheep. The same is true of an elder. He takes heed to the flock. That is to say, he looks out for it. He makes sure that false teachers do not come into its midst. He makes sure that individual members are not bringing in things that might harm the entire flock. He watches out for the affairs of the flock, and he leads the flock. “Leading the flock” is one of the most important ways in which an elder carries out his work. Elders are the spiritual leaders of God’s people. This means that when it comes to evangelism, elders ought to be at the forefront—leading, assisting, and encouraging others to follow. In every way—whether it is in Bible study, in encouragement, or any other matter of the church—elders ought to be the ones who are out in front, leading. An elder heeds. An elder leads. And an elder feeds. That is, he makes sure the flock has a diet that will help each sheep to grow, that will nurture the sheep, and that is nutritious. Their spiritual diet must help them to be sound in God’s Word. An elder watches the flock, leads the flock, and makes sure the flock is fed properly according to God’s will. Remember Hebrews 13:17—“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” The work of an elder is indeed a great privilege, but it is also an awesome responsibility. Elders are going to give an account for the people’s souls that they lead. Elders must have pure hearts, and must not act out of impure motives or for personal gain.
Timothy Sparks:
We want you to know today that God loves you. He wants you to be saved. In order to be saved, you must believe in Jesus as the Son of God. You must repent of those things in your life that are not right. You must be willing to confess Jesus as the Savior. And you must be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.
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1. What is the main thrust of 1 Timothy 3?
2. Throughout the New Testament, several synonyms are used to describe the position of an elder. List four of those synonyms.
3. Paul told Timothy that a man who serves as an elder must first “desire” the work. In your estimation, why is that included in the list of qualifications for an elder?
4. What did Paul mean when he told Timothy that an elder had to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:2)?
5. What is one definitive qualification for an elder that would prevent women from serving in that capacity?
6. Paul said that an elder must be “hospitable.” That word is composed of two root words in the Greek. What is the meaning of those two words?
7. Explain what Paul meant when he told Timothy that an elder must be “temperate” (1 Tim. 3:2), and when he told Titus that an elder must not be “quick tempered” (Tit. 1:7).
8. An elder is to be sober-minded (1 Tim. 3:2). What does that mean?
9. What is the main point of Titus 1:9-11 (in regard to an elder)?
10. What is the connection between 1 Timothy 3:3 and 1 Thessalonians 5:22?
11. Explain how Proverbs 20:1 applies to Paul’s instructions about the qualifications of an elder as listed in 1 Timothy 3:3.
12. What is the purpose behind the qualification for an elder which states that he must be a man who “rules his own house well” (1 Tim. 3:4)?
13. In summarizing the qualifications of an elder, we might say that such a man should focus not on earthly things, but on something else. What is that “something else”?
14. What did Paul mean when he told Timothy that an elder must “not be a novice”?
15. What is the connection between Proverbs 29:15 and Proverbs 13:24?
16. How do Proverbs 29:15 and Proverbs 13:24 apply to the man who wants to be an elder?
17. Explain the statement found in Hebrews 5:12.
18. What was the writer of Hebrews trying to get across in Hebrews 13:17?
19. According to Hebrews 13:17, what is the responsibility of a Christian toward elders?
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