Qualifications of Overseers

Wayne Galloway
05/08/13 - N/A

Series: The Selection and Appointment of Overseers

Introduction:

1.  Have you ever had someone, anticipating the appointment of elders, ask, “Well what about John Brown?  He’s old enough and his children are Christians?” 2.  Perhaps you have asked such a question.  This reduces the qualifications to two and one of them technically is not a qualification—age. 3.  Sometimes questions like this reveal an immature approach to the overseership.

a.  We need to study the Scriptures, familiarizing ourselves with what the Bible says.

b.  We need to meditate on what is said.  “What does it mean?  What are the implications?”

c.  Study with others and see what they understand the passages to be saying.

1)  Conversation.

2)  Reading.

4.  This lesson looks particularly at the qualifications specified in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1.

Discussion:

I.  The qualifications enumerated in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

1. Above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7).
2. Husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6).
3. Temperate (1 Tim. 3:2);  self-controlled (Titus 1:8).
4. Prudent (1 Tim. 3:2); sensible (Titus 1:8).
5. Respectable (1 Tim. 3:2).
6. Hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8).
7. Able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).
8. Not addicted to wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).
9. Not pugnacious but gentle (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).
10. Uncontentious (1 Tim. 3:3).
11. Free from the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3); not fond of sordid gain (Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2).
12. One who manages household well (1 Tim. 3:4-5); having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion (Titus 1:6).
13.  Not a new convert (1 Tim. 3:6).
14. Good reputation outside the church (1 Tim. 3:7).
15. Above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed (Titus 1:7).
16. Not quick tempered (Titus 1:7).
17. Loving what is good (Titus 1:8).
18. Just (Titus 1:8).
19. Devout (Titus 1:8).
20. Holding fast the faithful word (Titus 1:9).

II.  Differences in the lists and what this means.

A.  Those mentioned to Timothy but not to Titus.

1.  Respectable.

2.  Not a new convert.

3.  Good reputation outside the church.

4.  Uncontentious.

B.  Those mention to Titus but not to Timothy.

1.  Above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed.

2.  Not quick tempered.

3.  Loving what is good.

4.  Just.

5.  Devout.

6.  Holding fast the faithful word.

C.  “Manages household well” in Timothy more specific in Titus “children who believe.”

D.  Observation:  These lists identify the character of the man qualified.  They are not meant to be a list exhausting every character trait the man has, but a list that identifies a peculiar type of character.  These are traits that demonstrate his character.  They are not meant to be approached as a check list. Theoretically speaking, a man could have all these traits and still not be qualified.  Telling the truth and loving wife are not mentioned in the lists, but would not appoint a man if he was a liar and despised his wife.  Highly unlikely for a man to have all these specific traits and be a liar and not love his wife, but it is theoretically possible. Illustrate further with “just” in Titus, but not in Timothy.

Cf. a professor giving a test—He is not to conclude that a student knows only what he has asked on the test.  It is just a representation of what the student knows.  These lists are just a representative of the character of the man qualified to be an official leader.

Cf. a description given of a man in a hold-up.  “Red cap.  Red shirt.  Red pants.”  An incomplete description but enough to identify the man.  Other traits:  two legs, two arms, blue eyes, blond hair, etc.

III.  Analysis of the qualifications enumerated.

A.  Aspiration to the office/desire to do the work.  Not technically among the list of character traits.  Generally regarded as a qualification.

1.  I would not identify it under the list of qualifications, but nevertheless respect its significance.

2.  A man not willing to do the work should not be appointed.

3.  Cautious of the man anxious to accept the responsibility.  Does he desire it for honor, self-satisfaction, etc.?

4.  Cautious of the man anxious to reject the responsibility.  Is he unconcerned for the work of the Lord?

5.  Like asking a man:  “Would you like to go into a burning building to rescue a child?”  Combined with the fervency of it being his child, he desires to do it.

B.  Above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7).

1.  He is blameless, of good report.  There are no grounds upon which this man may be accused of improper Christian behavior.

2.  Does not mean that he is never criticized.  But that the charges will not stick.

3.  Does not mean he is perfect, but implies penitence when sin is present.

C.  The husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6).

1.  Could be translated “a one-woman man.”

2.  Taught here:

a.  Must be a man.

b.  A married man.

c.  Not a polygamist.  Probably not what Paul was specifically concerned with since polygamy was illegal in Roman Empire.

d.  Not involved with anyone other than his legal wife.  May be what Paul had specific reference to.

3.  “What if his wife dies?”  He is still a “one-woman man.”

4.  “What if his wife dies and he marries another?”  He is still a “one-woman man.”

D.  Temperate (1 Tim. 3:2); self-controlled (Titus 1:8).

1.  This man is not in bondage to himself.  He has control of himself.

2.  He is well-balanced, stable; he does not shift with the winds.

3.  He is clear on his focus.  He sees where history is going.  Sees his concern as carrying out God’s will.  Not side-tracked by secondary concerns or tangents.

E.  Prudent (1 Tim. 3:2); sensible (Titus 1:8).

1.  Wise and balanced in judgment.

2.  Not quick to give superficial decisions based upon immature thinking.

F.  Respectable (1 Tim. 3:2).

1.  Demonstrating good behavior.

2.  From kosmios from which the word “cosmetics” comes.

3.  The overseer must be one who makes his life-style attractive by adorning himself with good behavior.

G.  Hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8).

1.  Literally “a lover of strangers.”

2.  Often we think only in terms of an individual having us over to their house.

3.  While this is indeed hospitality the idea is much broader.  It involves an unselfishness and willingness to share blessings with others.

4.  Will be evident in his willingness to give benevolently.

H.  Able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).

1.  Able to communicate God’s truth to others and to exhort in sound doctrine.

2.  Refuting those who contradict in a patient, gentle, sensitive, non-quarrelsome way (2 Tim. 2:23-26).

3.  God expects all Christians to reach a level of maturity to where they can teach (Heb. 5:11-2).  This man has excelled to this degree.

4.   Man must be willing to learn.

I.  Not addicted to win (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).

J.  Not pugnacious, but gentle (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).

1.  Not a person given to physical or verbal violence.

2.  One who is characterized by tenderness.

K.  Uncontentious (1 Tim. 3:3).

1.  Not quarrelsome.

2.  Not given to selfish argumentation.

L.  Free from the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3); not fond of sordid gain (Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2).

1.  Not greedy or covetous.

2.  Not stingy—recognizing that he is a steward of God’s money in his personal finances and in church finances.

3.  Not making money dishonestly, or in a questionable business deal.

4.  Not an elder for the money’s sake (cf. 1 Tim. 5:17-18).

5.  Not placing all his emphasis on “making a living” to the point that he neglects spiritual responsibilities.

M.  Manages household well (1 Tim. 3:4-5); having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion (Titus 1:6).  Seems to imply children at home.

1.  Has the respect of his family because of his intense concern for them.

2.  Faithfulness of children to God or their father?

3.  The number of children (Gen. 21:7—Sarah had only one child).   We use the plural term all the time to include the singular:  “Register your children for school next Tuesday.”  If I have one I register him Tuesday.

4.  Doesn’t mean his children are perfect, but he is concerned to discipline .

5.  Emphasis here is on managerial ability in the home.  What if children become unfaithful after leaving home?  May or may not imply a lack of managerial ability by the father.

N.  Not a new convert (1 Tim. 3:6).

1.  One spiritually mature.

2.  Enough to handle the honor people bestow on their leaders without losing his humility.

O.  Good reputation with those outside the church (1 Tim. 3:7).

1.  Unbelievers respect his character.

2.  Recognize him as a man of integrity.

P.  Above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed (Titus 1:7).

1.  One who recognizes his responsibility to God as an overseer.

2.  Not always demanding his own way, forcing his ideas and opinions.

Q.  Not quick tempered (Titus 1:7).

R.  Loving what is good (Titus 1:8).

S.  Just (Titus 1:8).

1.  Fair and impartial.

2.  Does not jump into action on heresay evidence.

3.  Investigates and makes objective judgments, not just to satisfy men, but to do what is best.

T.  Devout (Titus 1:8).

1.  Holy.

2.  Separated from sin.

3.  Careful about his responsibilities to God.

U.  Holding fast the faithful word (Titus 1:9).

Conclusion:

1.  While there are other qualifications critical to the function of the office these are enough to identify the type of character required in a man to serve in this capacity. 2.  It is obvious the direction that these qualifications take one.