
June 1, 2025
1 Timothy 3:1-7
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 There- fore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Your Bible translations may refer to the elder as an overseer, bishop, shepherd, or a pastor.
- These different words are perfectly good translations of the Greek word episkopos, which is directly related to presbuteros, another word Paul uses, which we translate as “presbyter” or “elder.”
- Paul is referring to the same office with both words.
What kind of elders does Christ desire for His church?
· Character
· Capability
· Calling
· Conviction
· Commitment
· Capacity
Look for men with godly CHARACTER
- His godly character is reflected in all of his life and ministry
o Above reproach
o Track record of marital faithfulness
o Temperate, or sober-minded man
o Self-control
o He’s respectable
o He’s hospitable
o He’s free from addiction
o He’s neither argumentative nor a violent man
o He’s not given to quarrelling, nor quick-tempered
o He is free from the love of money
o He doesn’t pursue dishonest gain
His godly character is reflected in his home (4-5)
· He shepherds his family
· He invest in his marriage
· He disciplines his children
· He leads his family into church community
· He equips his family for impact
His godly character is reflected with the local community (vs. 7)
“Paul knows that the front line of evangelism as the church goes into the world is not our strategies, methods or techniques. The front line of evangelism is our holiness.” Ligon Duncan
· Known as a godly man
· Known as one who follows Jesus
· Godliness seen in his ethics, social life, social media, etc.
Pray that your elders would resemble Jesus more and more each day
The Greek language of “must be” referring to these character qualities are absolute imperative but are in the present tense
These qualities are not isolated to the elder
Look for CAPABLE men (vs. 3, 6)
· Able to teach
· Track record of spiritual maturity
Pray for your elders to persevere long in obedience to Jesus and to continue to grow in their knowledge of the Bible and sound doctrine
Look for CALLED men (vs. 1)
Pray that they not lose sight nor heart for their call to care for souls, to pastor, to comfort, to confront, to advise, to warn, to encourage, and to lead
The best way to spot elders is to participate fully in the life of the church
The Perfect Elder = Jesus Christ