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.
It is hard work being a husband, father, and an elder in the Lords church. This is one reason a pastor should never view where he is pastoring as a stepping stone. If that is the case that is how he will view the people. The church for the overseer is family. He sees the church as family. He rejoices and grieves with them and for them. "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father," II John 1:4. This is truly a joy. To see those you give your life to teach doing right and growing. Of course, just like when his own children do wrong and he is grieved, so it is with the church. The elder loves the church. He will not flee when the wolves come; he will stand against heresies and false teachers. As he is willing to give his life for his personal family, he is also willing to give his life for his church family. He loves the church so much, he will stand against them when they are going the wrong way.
Remember in I Samuel how Eli handled his home, his sons? He let them do what they wanted to do. He did the same thing with the church (I Samuel 2:22). If the pastor's children run the home, they'll run the church; if his wife runs the home she will run the church. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths," Isaiah 3:12.
A man can be qualified in everything, but if he does not rule well his own home he is disqualified, according to the Bible, and he cannot be an elder in the Lord's church. His family can qualify or disqualify him. His wife has a big part in this. The children usually follow her lead. If she is disrespectful, they will be too; if she is rebellious and always questioning him, they will too. A pastors family can make him a miserable pastor, as can a rebellious church family. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you," Hebrews 13:17.
"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil," I Timothy 3:6. A novice here in this verse is a young convert:- newly sprung up; inexperienced. Notice that it doesn't say anything about his physical age, but his spiritual age. Some can be saved for 20 years and be an immature Christian. The question would come up, why? This person seems to love the Lord and is on fire for Jesus, let him be an elder in the church if he wants to. I'm glad God gave us the reason why he can't.
"Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." If you put someone who is immature in a leadership role, he is apt to think more highly of himself than what he really is. This is pride. God resisteth the proud. Pride is to be conceited, proud, arrogant; to exalt self. Condemnation means judgment given, decision, award, sentence. The consequences of the sin of pride is punishment from God.
In verse 6 what is the condemnation of the devil? Let us turn to some Old Testament Scriptures to see. Turn to Isaiah 14:12-16; Ezekiel 28:12-19. We can agree that God went from being for him to being against him. Turn to I Peter 5:5. "Resisteth" in this verse means to rage oneself against, i.e. oppose. God resisteth the proud so God is the One who is against the one lifted up with pride. As God cast down Lucifer, this young Christian will also be cast down and his weaknesses and frailty will be made known. It is very important that the church understands this; the church are the ones that ordains elders. It is a black eye on the church when this happens; and it causes the enemies of God to blaspheme. Church, you must use wisdom in selecting elders, but more so you must be biblical. Church, you must also be continually in prayer for your elders.
"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 3:7. "Good" in this verse means honourable, distinguished. "Report" means honorable testimony, good report. "Of them without" simply means externally, outside. These are those who are outside the church, the lost. These are those whom he has business dealings with. Also, he sees them at the ball park; the restaurant; the grocery stores; and in bumper to bumper traffic.
My question is why? Why does it matter what those outside the church say and think about the elders in the church? These people may not agree with him doctrinally, but they know what type of person he is by his business dealings. They may say he is a religious fanatic, but they will give him a good honourable report on how he conducts himself. We know that love covers a multitude of sins, so those inside the church may be blinded by their love for the pastor, but I promise those outside the church are not blinded by love. They will be very critical, and it would do the church good to consider what others say about their pastor.
Here is why, "Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." "Reproach" is that which is the cause of shame or disgrace. "Snare" is any thing by which one is entangled and brought into trouble. W.D. 1828 edition. Turn to I Timothy 6:9. Notice the words "will be" in this verse. Those who "will be" think they are, and what they think snares them. The rest of this verse explains some of what they face. Also turn to II Timothy 2:22-26; flee also youthful lusts.
The church must listen to what those who are without say. There are those who will lie, but check with those with whom the elder has dealings with. They will know. If those outside the church say the elder isn't good, but those on the inside say he is, he'll listen to those on the inside, and believe it. There is the snare. Biblical elders lead the church closer to God, and they bring a good report on the church from those who are without and through this God is glorified. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen," Ephesians 3:21.
These qualifications are given to the church by God. It is our responsibility to obey them; and if we do, it will be beneficial for the church. It will not be popular, but it will be beneficial. May the Lord help us to be a church that continually follows His Word.
Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
