Elders

Introduction

As we continue to study through Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we come to chapter 3 and Paul’s instructions about elders and deacons. Contextually, Paul wants Timothy to be prepared to fight against false teachers. Those who will join in the fight will be the overseers. These men will serve God’s church to insure that false teachers do not make inroads into the church at Ephesus. Thus, Paul’s words are given purpose and meaning in 3:14–15. These words are to help Timothy in case Paul is delayed in coming to Ephesus. These are the leaders that Timothy is to see and encourage as they together stand against false teachers. Let’s open our Bibles to 1 Timothy 3.

The Text

There are two texts which deal with the traits of elders, one in Timothy and the other in Titus. The lists are not identical. There are about 10 differences between the two lists. Since Paul wrote both letters there must be a reason why the lists were not identical. It seems reasonable to understand that the differences can be attributed to different circumstances. Timothy lived in Ephesus. According to Acts 20, elders already existed. Thus, this well-established church had different needs. Titus lived in Crete. There were no elders in the churches on Crete. Instead, Paul is instructing Titus to establish elders in every congregation on the island.

The differences between the two lists are not significant; however, those differences point to the different locations and different needs of the church in Ephesus and the church on Crete. The differences also establishes that neither list is intended to be complete, but rather are to speak to specific occasions and locations. Many times preachers will combine the lists to make sure that all bases are covered. Paul certainly could have presented an identical list for each location and he could have made longer lists if the Holy Spirit had guided him to do so. We would do well to leave the lists intact and not make them longer than the Spirit of God made them.

The text in Timothy resembles our situation more. It is written to a well-established church with elders already present. Ephesus was a vibrant city. The temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, existed in Ephesus. Temple prostitution was rampant. In fact, a prominent house of prostitution was located in the central section of the city. It is in this text that Paul’s main concern is for elders to be involved in building up the church and defending doctrine.

Many have in the past called this list found in 1 Timothy 3 qualifications. However, any descriptive term used for this list is manmade. But I would encourage us to consider this list as qualities or character traits rather than qualifications. Let me explain why. The word qualifications suggests that there is a checklist of measurable traits. For instance according to our constitution in order for a person to be president of the United States, he or she must be 35 years of age, a natural born citizen of the United States, and must not have a federal conviction. These qualifications are easily verified and checked. However, the list that Paul gives is not so easily dealt with. For instance, take the character trait of not greedy. How would we measure such a trait? Is there a way to verify this trait as a quantifiable measure? Or is the trait intended for people to be able to observe and know that greed is not a part of the man’s life? Is it a character trait which Paul is interested in rather than a qualification? Each of the items in the list fit with the idea of looking for men to serve as elders or deacons who demonstrate certain qualities of character. This seems to fit well with the intent of Paul as he writes to Timothy.

Qualities

Let’s look briefly at each of the traits which Paul includes. In 3:2, Paul begins the list with the words “must be above reproach.” Then in 3:7, Paul ends this section with “must have a good reputation with outsiders.” Both of these phrases have the same meaning. One is intended for those inside the church and the other is intended for those outside the church. The point is they form a parenthesis around this section. Everything in between these two bookends is an elaboration on the theme of being above reproach or having a good reputation. This seems to be the overall thrust of what Paul wants the church to understand. The elders reputation both inside and outside the church is fundamental to his serving.

Husband of but one wife. An interpretation rather than a translation of the text. The phrase is only three words in the Greek and it is the phrase “one woman man.” The words “one woman” modify man so to explain that the elder is to be a man who is faithfully committed to his wife. This is a character trait. It is not intended to specify the number of times that a man can be married, but it speaks to his character in regards to his wife. That is, the elder is faithful to his wife; no hint of flirtatious behavior or wandering eyes for others.

Temperate. Probably used figuratively here to refer to being free from every form of excess or rashness. Similar to what Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5, he is to keep his head in all situations.

Self-controlled and respectable. These words mean under control and orderly. The elder is able to keep himself in check and is not given to being out of control.

Hospitable. Welcome people into his home.

Able to teach. Paul didn’t have Sunday School in mind. Such did not exist in his day. This same word occurs in 2 Timothy 2:24 and Titus 1:9 and in these contexts it means that the elder has the ability to teach the truth and to refute error.

Not a drunkard. Must not be given to excessive consumption of alcohol.

Not violent but gentle and not quarrelsome. These three go together. The elder is not to be given to strife and quarrels. Instead the true elder is gentle even in correcting opponents (2 Timothy 2:23–25).

Not greedy. This is what false teachers go for. A man who desires money over the love of God and for his people should never serve as an elder.

Manager of his family. The elder is to be a man who manages his family well. The word “manage” doesn’t do justice to the intent of the word which Paul uses. Yet the intent is found in verse 5 with the word “care” when the potential elder’s family is compared to the church. The word manage is intended here to mean “to be concerned about, to care for.” This implies guidance with a great deal of caring concern. Children are to be known for their obedience and for their generally good behavior.

Not a recent convert. The elder is to be well grounded in the faith or mature in the faith, so that he will not get the big head or become arrogant in his newfound faith.

Application

A congregation needs to be vigilant in looking for men who will take on the role of elder. If there is someone that you believe has the qualities of an overseer then talk with that man and see if he desires to serve in that role. Then after talking with that man, speak with our current elders.

This is also a time for us to reaffirm the qualities of the men who function as elders among us. Prayer time. Invitation.

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