The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.
Everything rises or falls with leadership, whether it be a family or a local church. In session 7 we started looking at the 16 qualifications that Paul said a pastor, bishop or elder should meet in order to hold the office of pastor, bishop or elder, of a local church. which according to the New Testament, are synonymous titles or terms for the same office. We finished 9 qualifications in session 7. Here in session 8 we finish those qualifications. No pastor, bishop or elder ever feels that he is all he ought to be, and his people need to pray for him constantly. It is not easy to serve, but it is much easier if your character is all God wants it to be.
According to the New Testament, the terms “bishop,” “pastor,” and “elder” are synonymous.
Bishop means “overseer,” and the elders had the responsibility of overseeing the work of the church. “Elder” is the translation of the Greek word presbutes, which means “an old man.” Elders and bishops (two names for the same office, were mature people with spiritual wisdom and experience. Finally, “pastor” means “shepherd,” one who leads and cares for the flock of God.
But these men had to be qualified. It was good for a growing believer to aspire to the office of bishop, but the best way to achieve it was to develop Christian character Paul gave sixteen qualifications for a man to meet if he expected to serve as an elder/bishop/pastor.
I Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV[1] This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. [3] not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence [5] (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); [6] not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Last week we looked at nine of those qualifications they were
Blameless
Husband of one wife
Vigilant or temperate
Sober or sober-minded
Of good behavior (orderly of organized in his thinking and his living)
Hospitable
Able to teach
Not given to wine (does not drink to excess)
No striker (not violent)
(10) Not greedy of filthy lucre (not greedy for money)
1 Timothy 3:3 NIV [3] not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
It is possible to use the ministry as an easy way to make money, if a man has no conscience or integrity. Pastors that are greedy for money always have “deals” going on outside their churches, and these activities erode their character and hinder their ministry.
1 Peter 5:2 NIV [2] Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
Pastors should be paid a salary and for ministry, but the motivation should be ministry not money. If the ministry is successful in that it teaches the gospel resulting in salvation for many and encouragement of others it may result in lots of money, but money should not the goal.
Paul talks to Timothy later about the pursuit of money being a problem.
1 Timothy 6:10 NIV [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Pastors should “not [work] for filthy lucre” (1 Peter 5:2).
(11) Patient (gentle) (v. 3d).
I Timothy 3:3 NKJV [3] not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
“Gentle” is a better translation. The pastor must listen to people and be able to take criticism without reacting. He should permit others to serve God in the church without dictating to them.
(12) Not a brawler (v. 3e).
I Timothy 3:3 NKJV [3] not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
Pastors must be peacemakers, not troublemakers. This does not mean they must compromise their convictions, but that they must “disagree” without being “disagreeable.” Short tempers do not make for long ministries.
(13) Not covetous (not greedy) (v. 3f).
I Timothy 3:3 NKJV [3] not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
Exodus 20:17 NIV ““You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Coveting is the beginning of greed, which is the inordinate desire to grasp and possess material goods. It can lead to deceit, theft, envy, jealousy, murder, war, and selfishness.
You can covet many things besides money: popularity, or fame but Paul is talking about money here. Coveting is the beginning of greed, which is the inordinate desire to grasp and possess material goods. It can lead to deceit, theft, envy, jealousy, murder, war, and selfishness.
(Luke 12:15 NIV) “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’”.
(14) A godly family (vv. 4–5).
I Timothy 3:4-5 NKJV [4] one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence [5] (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
This does not mean that a pastor must be married or, if married, must have children. However, if he is married and has children if his wife and/or children don't respect him, then his church is not likely to respect and obey his leadership. You can't be one way at the church and another way home because the wife and children will know the real person and there will be problems.
The word rules means “to preside over, to govern,” and suggest that a pastor is the one who directs the business of the church. Not as a dictator, of course, but as a loving shepherd.
(15) Not a novice (v. 6).
I Timothy 3:6 NKJV [6] not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
“Novice” literally means “one newly planted,” referring to a young Christian. Age is no guarantee of maturity, but it is good for a man to give himself time for study and growth before he accepts a church. Some men mature faster than others, of course. Sometimes a youthful pastor succeeds and gets proud; then Satan can tear down all that has been built up.
(16) A good testimony outside the church (v. 7).
I Timothy 3:6-7 NKJV [6] not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Does he pay his bills? Does he have a good reputation among unsaved people with whom he does business?
Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV [5] Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. [6] Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
I Thessalonians 4:11-12 NKJV [11] that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, [12] that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
No pastor ever feels that he is all he ought to be, and his people need to pray for him constantly. It is not easy to serve as a pastor/elder, but it is much easier if your character is all God wants it to be.
Deacons (3:8–13)
1 Timothy 3:8-13 NIV [8] In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. [9] They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. [11] In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. [12] A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. [13] Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The English word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos, which simply means “servant.” It is likely that the origin of the deacons is recorded in Acts 6. The first deacons were appointed to be assistants to the apostles.
Acts 6:1-4 NIV [1] In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [3] Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them [4] and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
In a local church today, deacons relieve the pastors/elders of other tasks so that they may concentrate on the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight.
We don't have deacons as such with the title, but we do have deacons by their actions.
Even though deacons are not given the authority of elders, they still must meet certain qualifications. Here I am going to include women because scripture and even Paul who wrote this letter to Timothy recognized women deacons.
Romans 16:1-2 NIV [1] I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. [2] I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
Also let's take a good look at
1 Timothy 3:11 NIV [11] In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
This verse is right in the middle of Paul’s discussion about deacons.
The word used here is gynaikas, which could be translated as either “wives” or “women,”. In the translations that say wives it doesn't say their wives meaning the deacon's wives so he must be referring to women.
In addition, the character qualities of these women are the same as for the male so it appears here that an official capacity is intended.
Women therefore may serve as deacons because they the act in the capacity serving, not leading. Deacons don’t teach and exercise authority, but rather help in the church’s ministry.
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