I Timothy 3:1-7
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." I Timothy 3:1-7.
We started verse 3 last week, "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous." The next thing we will deal with in verse 3 is "no striker". The pastor cannot be a striker. "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," II Timothy 2:24. The bishop is not to settle disputes with his fist. This goes back to being sober minded and of good behaviour. The bishop must have self-control, especially with strangers. Some men don't have a problem walking away or turning the other cheek, others do. The bishop must not be a striker, if he is a striker, he is disqualified. His life is not about himself. People will provoke us to wrath if we let them. If we have an ounce of pride in us it will show up when people are provoking us. We say there is a line. Let me ask us this, what is beyond that line that is different than this side of the line? A line we draw is us giving us an excuse to retaliate.
We cannot give into our flesh. Can you handle someone cussing you? If you can't, then you probably will not be able to handle someone cutting you off in traffic. You will be ready to retaliate. Just like with having any type of alcohol in your hand, you will not be able to tell someone about Jesus Christ when you are ready to strike them in any way. Our life is not our own. Look at the example Jesus left for us. Lord help us to be like Christ.
The next qualification in verse 3 is "not greedy of filthy lucre". "Lucre" In this verse means gain in money or goods; profit; usually in an ill sense, or with the sense of something base or unworthy. "Greedy" in this verse means having a keen desire of anything; eager to obtain; as greedy gain. "Filthy" in this verse means dirty; foul; unclean; nasty. Filthy lucre is obtained by base and dishonest means. Someone who is greedy of filthy lucre is one who looks at people and circumstances as a way to get gain. This will cause them to show favourtism to some while despising others. Let us turn to James 2:1-9 and then I Timothy 6:6-10. If someone is out to get rich from the ministry, they are disqualified. You know these people when you hear them. They are always talking about money, and you sending them money. These view the ministry as a way to get gain, not life's calling. Please note that this doesn't mean that a bishop can't have nice things, but simply that he mustn't get what he has by filthy lucre. Be content with what God gives us.
The next qualification in verse 3 is "but patient" which means mild, gentle. The bishop will be tried and tried again. People will openly and at times maliciously attack him. The bishop must be able to take open criticism. When someone questions him he must be able to handle it mildly and gently. People should know they can go to the bishop and ask him questions about what he believes and why he does things a certain way without having their heads bitten off for questioning him. Opposition will come. Sometimes it is a blessing. It helps show us if we are thinking too highly of ourselves. Some come with a legitimate critique, others do it to appear super spiritual. Some want to trip the bishop up with loaded questions. These are usually very prideful people who want to feel super-spiritual. The bishop must be able to handle this with patience. He cannot strike these people. He must use wisdom in how he answers, and he must always use Scripture in context, even if the other party doesn't want to hear it.
Notice the next qualification in verse 3 is "not a brawler". Do you think at times the pastor just wants to unbutton his shirt sleeves and get in a brawl with those who have been provoking him or those who oppose him? All this goes together. The bishop must not be one that threatens others to get his way. He must not use any type of force. The opposite of brawler is peaceable. He shouldn't bring a baseball bat to a men's meeting. He shouldn't use the pulpit as a platform to threaten others. This also means he will not be overbearing. It is not his way or the highway. This is not his church, it is the Lords church. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood," Acts 20:28.
We also see here the importance of a plurality of elders. Each keeping the other in check and leading the church to become more like Jesus Christ. This also helps to keep a dictatorship from taking place, which also helps hold the church together when leadership changes. Leadership will change. Every church in the bible had a plurality of elders.
The last qualification in verse 3 is "not covetous" and means un-avaricious:- without covetousness, not greedy of filthy lucre. The pastor must have his interests in spiritual matters more than material matters. His mind and heart must be fixed on heavenly things. If his mind and heart are fixed on earthly things he will not be able to focus on feeding the flock of God the Word of God. Example: if he listens to talk radio, his messages will be geared, knowingly or unknowingly, around these things he is filling his mind and heart with. If he desires riches, his messages will be geared that way. He will have compromise after compromise, and like those leaders of Israel, he will lead the people away from God, not to God. Turn to I Timothy 4:6-16. A God called and qualified pastor loves the Lord, and he loves the Lord's people. He will point the people to God and to holiness as a result of loving the Lord, not legalism.
I want to remind us again that these qualifications are not man made. These are qualifications God requires for His pastors. If someone does not meet these qualifications, they cannot be a pastor. There are other things they can do in the Lord's church, but they can't be a pastor if they aren't biblically qualified. God does not give us an exception to the rule. As we continue to look at these qualifications, we will see how these qualifications narrow down who can and can't be a bishop. I hope we are all learning these very important truths. It is the church's responsibility to hold those in leadership accountable to these qualifications. Lord willing, next week we will get into verses 4-7. I want to encourage you to read and study these verses as we go through them. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
