I Timothy 3:4-7
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. Let's look at verses 4-7 as we finish looking at the Biblical qualifications of an elder. "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 3:4-7.
The first qualification in verse 6 is novice. This 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. A new convert is usually fired up for the Lord. If they show any interest in studying the bible or is proclaiming the bible, some denominations will thrust them into the ministry, and even into the pastorate. This is not only not good, but is not biblical. 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.
Verse 6 tells us, "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. When people start telling him how great of a preacher he is it is real easy to believe them. He may even begin to boast in himself, which means he will depend on himself, and not the Lord. We are thankful when others tell us we preached a good message, but we must remember that we are not pleasing men, but are to please God. If we are preaching to please men, we cannot be a servant of God. If we are lifted up with pride, we will fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Condemnation means judgment given, decision, award, sentence. The consequences of the sin of pride is punishment from God. What is the condemnation of the devil? Turn to Isaiah 14:12-16 and Ezekiel 28:12-19. We can agree that God went from being for the devil to being against him. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble," I Peter 5:5. The word "resisteth" means to range oneself against, i.e. oppose. God resisteth the proud so God is the One who is against the one lifted up with pride. The pastor does not want God against him, and the church does not want God against their pastor. As God cast down Lucifer, this new convert will also be cast down and his weakness 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 their pastor falls for any reason, especially as a result of pride, and it causes the enemies of God to blaspheme.
The next qualification is in verse 7. The pastor is to have a good report of them which are without. The word "good" means honourable, distinguished. "Report" means honorable testimony, good report. "Of them without" speaks of those who are outside the church. This could be people who go to other churches, and those who are lost and do not attend church. 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.
The last part of verse 7 is sad. "Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." A snare is any thing by which one is entangled and brought into trouble. What are some of those things that can snare anyone, especially a new convert? "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows," I Timothy 6:9-10. "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier," II Timothy 2:3-4. "Reproach" is that which is the cause of shame or disgrace.
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 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.
The meaning of the bible does not change with the culture, nor can anyone have an interpretation apart from the Scriptures. If someone says that the church needs to get on track with the times, then it is obvious those people have been influenced by the world. Remember, the track the world is on is headed to eternal damnation. May the Lord give us pastors who will teach and adhere to God's qualifications.
Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. To God be the glory.
