I Timothy 3:1-7
It is the church’s responsibility to make sure the elders of the church are qualified. It is the elder's responsibility to make sure the church knows the Biblical qualifications of an elder. The only reason an elder wouldn't want the church to know is if he is not qualified. The only reason a church would not want to know is if their pastor is not qualified. We cannot turn a blind eye to the Scriptures.
"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 3:4-7.
As we study the Scriptures, it is important that we do not put our own spin on things. It is also important that we do not let the current view of the culture define what the bible says. This is why it is important that we exegete the Scriptures. Exegesis is pulling from the text, and eisegesis is putting in the text. When we pull from the text, we are learning what God put in the text, but when we put into the text, we are putting our own spin and opinion in the text which gives us a wrong interpretation of that text. No matter which verse we are looking at we must do exegesis if we want to find out what God wants us to know from the Scriptures. We will continue to do this as we are looking at the qualifications of a bishop here in I Timothy. By doing this we will learn God's qualifications for bishops. Let us get into verse 4 of I Timothy 3.
The bishop must be one who ruleth well his own house. "Ruleth" in this verse means to stand before, i.e. (in rank), to preside, or (by implication) to practice:- maintain, be over, rule.
This is also in the present tense and is to be done continually and repeatedly. He is to always rule his own house. There is a way he is to rule it. He is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. He is not to provoke his children to wrath but train them up in the care and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 5-6). Here in I Timothy he is to rule well.
"Well" in this verse means honesty, plus recover, (full) well. "House" means a household, family, those who live together in a house. Including the idea of household affairs. The elder is to preside, maintain, and rule his own house. He must be actively involved in his house. His house consist of his household, if he had servants, etc… his family, wife and kids. And this also includes the idea of household affairs. He must be involved and leading the decisions that are being made in the home. He must be leading his home to become more like Jesus Christ. He must lead his home in Biblical things and in life in general. He must do this well, he must do this fully and honestly. Where we lack in our home, we will also lack in taking care of the church of God. Let's look at some well known Scriptures. Let us look at some examples of those who were leading others, but did not take care of their own homes. Turn to I Samuel 1:3. Notice that Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas, were the priests of the Lord. I Samuel 2:12-17 confirms that they were young men (I Samuel 4:19). I Samuel 2:29 has to do with ruling the house of God. This came about from how Eli ruled his own home. His sons may have learned how to keep face in front of others as they were growing up, but what went on at home became the norm at the temple in Shiloh; but even worse. His sons took it to the extreme. In
I Samuel 4:11, 22 we see the end result.
A man not ruling well his own home affects more than just his own home. What does it mean to rule well? Let us look again at I Timothy 4, "having his children in subjection with all gravity." Once our children have left our homes, we can no longer rule them. When someone does try to continue to rule their children after they have left the home the end result is chaos. But, while the children are in the home; they are subject to the authority of the head of the home.
Children in subjection is a state of being under control or governed. If you put a governor on an engine you are restraining that engine. This is for the protection of everyone. As that person grows and learns how to handle the power in their hands you open up the governor a little more. More freedom. Same thing with our children. Children are to be in subjection, governed, with all gravity. This is with all honesty and seriousness.
This doesn't mean that the elder's children must be perfect, if this was the case then no one with children could be an elder in the Lords church. This means the children are fully governed, and if they transgress, (stepping over), they know there will be consequences. They don't get timeouts. The father must follow through, he must stand behind what he says. This means he must be careful in what he says. He mustn't make foolish vows. He must follow through, if he doesn't, his own house will not respect him, and therefore will not submit to him.
The father must be the parent, not the pal. This doesn't mean that he is not friendly and that he doesn't do things with his children. But if his children look at him as just another pal, they will not respect his authority. The household must also know the father can be trusted with things no one else should know; they must know they can go to him with questions; they must know they can confess their mistakes to him; they must also know he makes mistakes. His children should also know they can come to him for counsel; and that he will give them wise counsel. All of these things we just looked at carry over to overseeing the church of God. The church are the people.
"(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God," I Timothy 3:5. The church must know the elders will lead the church closer to the Lord; that the elders can be trusted; gives Biblical counsel; he is human which means he will make mistakes and confess them; that he is a man of his word; and if the sheep get into trouble that he will be coming to hold them accountable and in love instructing them to repent and reconcile them with the Lord and the Lords church. This is part of holding each other accountable. This may seem like a lot; it is. Go back to verse 1, "he desireth a good work."
"Work" is the Greek word ergon and means toil (as an effort or occupation); (by implication) an act:- deed, doing, labour, work. A labourer is usually the job no one wants, though people often want the credit without the labour. Being a bishop is not an easy work. Kids do not want to be disciplined, and at times those in the church do not either. As kids will kick at and bow up at those in authority, rebellious church members will also. A pastor must continue his work even when there is opposition; and there will be opposition. Pray that your pastor will be courageous in his work for the Lord.
Lord willing, we will finish this study next week. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
