Qualifications Of Elders Also Called Pastors Or Overseers

QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)

I. INTRODUCTION

A. What is an “Elder” in the New Testament?

1. THREE Greek words for ONE work (Acts 20:17-20)

a. Presbuteros = Elder --An Older man [Strongs] --Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2-6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18 24:1; 1 Timothy 5:1,17,19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1; 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1

b. Poimen = Pastor, Shepherd --Shepherd, herdsman --Acts 20:28 (“feed”); Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2 (“feed”)

c. Episkopus = Overseer, Bishop --Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1,2; 2 Timothy 4:22; Titus 1:7; 3:15

2. ALWAYS a Plurality (more than one) [see verses above, et.al.]

B. HOW Does one BECOME an Elder?

1. ORDAINED (appointed)

a. Ordained [cheirotoneo] “to elect, create, appoint” Acts 14:23

b. Ordain [kathistemi] “to appoint one to administer an office” Titus 1:5

2. To and OFFICE/WORK --NOT a “figurehead”, or “board of directors”

a. Created by God Ephesians 4:11

b. Qualified by the Holy Spirit Acts 20:28

c. Appointed by: --Inspired preacher/evangelist in 1st century Titus 1:5 --Mature Christians of congregation today, following qualifications given by Holy Spirit to Paul 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 (1) (2)

II. QUALIFICATIONS of ELDERS

A. Desire the office (I Timothy 3:1) “oregomai” (G3713) 1. To stretch one's self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something.

c.f. Hebrews 11:16

B. NOT a Novice (1 Timothy 3:6) “neophutos” (G3504) 1. Newly planted. a. A new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian)

C. Blameless (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6) “anepiloptos” (G423) 1. Not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of. 2. That cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable.

c.f. Luke 1:5-6; Philippians 2:12-15

D. Good Report of them Without (1 Timothy 3:7)

1. Good = “kalos” (G2570)

2. Report = “marturia” (G3141)

3. of them Without = “exothen” (G1855)

E. Given to/Lover of Hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) “philoxenos” (G5382) 1. Hospitable, generous to guests [Thayer] 1. Fond of guests, that is, hospitable; given to (lover of, use) hospitality [Strong's]

c.f. Romans 12:9-13 (3)

F. Patient (1 Timothy 3:1) “epieikes” (G1933) 1. Seemingly, suitable. 2. Equitable, fair, mild, gentle [Thayer] 1. Appropriate, that is, (by implication) mild; gentle, moderation, patient [Strong's]

G. Husband of One Wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6

1. Husband = “aner” (G435) 1. Male, man

2. One = “mia” (G3391) 1. Only one

3. Wife = “gune” (G1135) 1. woman, wife

H. Ruleth well his own House (1 Timothy 3:4)

1. Ruleth = “proistemi” (G4291)

2. Well = “kalos” (G2573)

3. House = “oiko” (G3624)

I. Faithful children not accused riot or unruly (Titus 1:6)

1. Faithful = “pistos” (G4103)

2. Children = “Teknom” (G5043)

3. Riot = “asotia” (G810)

4. Unruly = “anupotaktos” (G506)

J. Vigilant (1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 5:6-9) “nephaleos” (G3524) 1. Sober, temperate. a. Abstaining from wine, either entirely, or at least from its immoderate use. b. Of things free from all wine, as vessels, offerings.

K. NOT given to Wine (1 Timothy 3:3) “paroinos” (G3943) 1. Given to wine, drunken [Thayer]

1. Staying near wine, that is tippling [Strong's] c.f. Leviticus 10:9 (4)

L. Sober (1 Timothy 3:2) “sophron” (G4998) 1. Of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses. 2. Curbing one's desires and impulses, self- controlled, temperate.

M. Temperate (Titus 1:8) “egkrates” (G1468) 1. Strong, robust. 2. Having power over, possessed of (a thing). 3. Mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining. a. Controlling one's self, temperate, continent.

N. NOT Self-Willed (Titus 1:7) “aothades” (G829) 1. Self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant

O. Good Behavior (1 Timothy 3:2) “kosmios” (G2887) 1. Well arranged, seemly, modest

c.f. Romans 12:14-15

P. Apt to Teach (I Timothy 3:2) “didaktikos” (G1317) 1. Apt and skillful in teaching

Q. No Striker (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7) “plekoes” (G4131) 1. Bruiser, ready for a blow. 2. A pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person.

R. Not a Brawler (1 Timothy 3:3) “amachos” (G269) 1. Not to be withstood, invincible. 2. Not contentious. 3. Abstaining from fighting. (5)

S. Not Soon Angry (Titus 1:7) “orgilus” (G371) 1. Prone to anger, irascible

T. Not Greedy of/Given to Filthy Lucre (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7) “aischrokerdes” (G146) 1. Eager for base gain, greedy for money.

U. Not Covetous (1 Timothy 3:3) “aphilarguros” (G866) 1. Not loving money, not avaricious.

V. Steward of God (Titus 1:7) “oikonomous” (G3623) 1. The manager of household or of household affairs. a. Especially a steward, manager, superintendent, to whom the head of the house or proprietor has instructed the management of his affairs... b. The manager of a farm or estate, an overseer.

W. Lover of Good Men (Titus 1:8) “philagathos” (5358) 1. Loving goodness [Thayer]

1. Fond of good, that is, a promoter of virtue [Strong's]

X. Just (Titus 1:8) “dikaios” (G1342) 1. Righteous, observing divine laws. a. In a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commandments of God. b. In a narrower sense, rendering to each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgement on others, whether expresssed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them. (6)

Y. Holy (Titus 1:8) “hosios” (G3741) 1. Undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious.

Z. Holding Fast the Faithful Word

1. Holding Fast the (Titus 1:9) “antechomai” (G472) 1. To hold before or against, hold back, withstand, endure. 2. To keep one's self directly opposite to anyone, hold to him firmly, cleave to, paying heed to him.

2. Faithful Word (Titus 1:9) “logos” (G3056)