I Timothy 3:1-7
There are words and phrases that are used in the church and about the church that have been used in the wrong way for many years. Since multitudes do not study the Scriptures for themselves, they do not know any better. They hear what sounds good from someone they like listening to, and they take it as the gospel truth. Or someone may have a definition in their head for a word, yet they have never looked that word up in its context to a certain passage of Scripture. The result is they end up with a skewed view and the wrong interpretation of that Scripture. They share that view with others who do not study to find out for themselves and then you end up with more and more people believing something that is not true. Sometimes this is funny, other times it is dangerous, especially when it comes to the doctrines of the bible.
Bishops and deacons are two of those words that people often have the wrong perception of. Many view deacons as those who rule the church. This is not biblical, and a quick word study on the word deacon would really clear that up; and we will look at that when we finish looking at the word bishop. Depending on what culture you are in, or what part of the country you are raised in, the word bishop may have many different meanings in your mind. For some a bishop is one who wears all the religious garb. They may have a long flowing robe on with tassels hanging down by the wrist. They may have a long-pointed hat that looks like a dunce cap. They may be the one leading the church through the traditions of men. For others a bishop is one who has special privileges. He is the one all the congregation looks up to. What he says goes. This person likes the title bishop because it makes him feel important. He may sign his name bishop so and so. For those who do not know any better they would think this person is higher in rank and privilege than others who are preaching the gospel. There are those who strive on people's ignorance.
A study on the word bishop would really clear up any confusion. The word "bishop" in Philippians 1:1 means officers in the local churches, overseers, and superintendents. There it is in the plural, so it is speaking of a plurality of bishops, not just one. This is commonly taught throughout the New Testament. Paul tells Titus to ordain elders in every city in Titus 1:5. In Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas ordain elders in every church. In Acts 20 Paul calls for and meets with the elders of the church at Ephesus. It is biblical and beneficial to have a plurality of bishops in a local church. Proverbs 11:14 tells us there is safety in the multitude of counsellors.
During our day and time there are those who want to be a bishop for the benefits that may come with the title. Some view it as a way to make money and not work very hard. Some like being in front of a crowd and figure they just as well get paid to do it. Others want to be known. Though people may not take the office of a bishop serious, the Lord does. "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation," James 3:1.
Being a bishop is nothing to take lightly. So, who can be a bishop? Anyone who desires to and meets God's qualifications. God has given us these qualifications in I Timothy 3 and in Titus 1. Let us turn to I Timothy 3:1-7 and learn about these God given qualifications.
For the next few weeks, we will look at a bishop. This is very important. There are so many false prophets around that this is a subject that really needs to be addressed. There are also many opinions; and it is obvious there are many people who have no idea. The Bible really clears these things up, but again most people follow what someone else says instead of studying the Bible for themselves. It is frightening what we believe and do out of ignorance. The leaders of the Lord's church are to be qualified and are to be good examples to the flock. What we will learn from these Scriptures will truly expose the false prophets and pastors of today, no matter what title they hide under.
Let us start with verse 1 of I Timothy 3, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." "True" in this verse means trustworthy; faithful; sure.
What Paul is about to write is trustworthy, it is sure. Paul is writing the inspired Word. This is Gods design for His church. Paul isn't some male chauvinist, and he isn't out to prove his own agenda. He is simply writing Gods design for the church. For a church to get away from Gods standard is a church that is in rebellion to Gods Word. This church will not have the blessing of God's presence but instead will do everything in the power of the flesh. Flesh reaps corruption.
The next word we want to look at is "man". Man means one, someone, a certain one. It could read like this, "if a certain man". The word man has different definitions. This definition is speaking of a certain man. This is further clarified by the qualifications in the next few verses, and by the previous chapter. When the Bible was written they didn't put chapter and verse. We associate a new chapter with a new teaching etc., but here the teaching is carried over from chapter 2. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamfacedness and sobriety: not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence," I Timothy 2:9-12. Verse 12 is very clear, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." Regardless of someone's desire, or ability, only those who meet God's qualifications can be a pastor of the Lord's church. If women could be bishops, the Bible would have clearly stated that here in the qualifications of a bishop. But when kept in context we see that is not the case. I know people want to run to the Old Testament, but we must understand these are qualifications for bishops in the church. God makes these qualifications, and we have no right to compromise them.
You will not find a woman pastor in the New Testament. God has not changed His qualifications for a pastor. If you see a woman pastor, she is out of place and in rebellion to Gods Word. She needs to repent and take her Biblical place in the Lord's church. I know this teaching will make plenty of people mad, but that's ok, the truth usually does. If a church knowingly has an unqualified pastor, they are not a true church. Many twist Scripture to justify their own opinions, but it is always taken out of context. This means they are mishandling the Word of God, which shows they will twist Scripture to get their way. Hey, that's the society in which we live today. More Scripture would be in I Cor. 14:34, 35.
There are many things that women can do in and through the local church (Titus 2:3-5), but being a pastor is not one of them. I want to encourage you to examine your pastor by the qualifications that God has given us. Is he qualified? Has he been disqualified? Pray for your pastor that he will live a life obedient to the Scriptures, for the glory of God, and the good of the church. Lord willing, next week we will pick up with the word desire in I Timothy 3:1. Please email questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
