1 Timothy Chapter 3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
3:1 This saying is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.”
The Greek word for "trustworthy" is πιστός (pistes), meaning that the words Paul is about to write are faithful and trustworthy. You can go to the bank with them.
The Greek word for "aspires" is ὀρέγω (aregow), a present middle indicative verb, meaning for a person to emphatically and continually stretch forth and reach out and grab. The person emphatically really wants this office and will aggressively pursue it. This means that if a person does not have the burning desire to be an elder, he should not take the position.
The Greek word for "overseers" is ἐπισκοπή (episcopacy), meaning those who supervise, such as elders, bishops, pastors, shepherds, or a minister. All of these terms can be used interchangeably for the same office. This office is different from a deacon. This office is also plural, meaning that there was more than one elder in each church.
The Greek word for "desires" is ἐπιθυμέω (epithumeow), a present active indicative verb, meaning a continually focused passionate desire. Elders who emphatically and continually reach out for this position will continually and passionately do good work for the Kingdom of God.
3:2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,
Paul will start off by listing the positive qualifications of an elder.
The Greek word for "above reproach" is ἀνεπίληπτος (anepilayptos), meaning that when attacked, there will be found nothing against him. Elders who faithfully teach the Word of God will be attacked, so their past record needs to be blameless so that Christ is not discredited.
The Greek word for "the husband of one wife" is μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρα (mias gunaikos andra), meaning a one-wife man. Polygamy was common in Rome during the days of Paul. An elder was not to have two wives. This verse is not speaking about divorced men. If this was so, then it would mean that ex-adulterers, ex-murderers, and ex-homosexuals could hold office, but divorced man could not. Satan has used this verse to keep a lot of divorced men who are highly qualified to be elder out of office.
The Greek word for "temperate" is νηφαλέος (nayphaleos), meaning not under the influence of intoxication, such as alcohol or drugs. The elder needs to keep himself from alcohol so that he can make clear-minded decisions.
The Greek word for self-controlled is σώφρων (sophrown), meaning a person who does not command himself, but he is commanded by God. He is a man who knows how to keep his cool.
The Greek word for "respectable" is κόσμιος (cosmos), meaning organized and well-prepared. He means business. He takes his position seriously.
The Greek word for "hospitable" is φιλόξενος (philozenos), meaning a love for strangers. This is an elder who likes to take others out for lunch or dinner.
The Greek word for "an able teacher" is διδακτικός (didaktikas), meaning the ability to teach. Many churches will fill elder positions with businessmen who are good at running a business. However, this is not a good solution, because the elder must have the ability to teach. If a businessman does not know the Word of God, then he does not have the ability to teach or the ability to make correct decisions for the church. No one should be an elder unless he can correctly teach the entire counsel of the Word of God. This is why it is important for elders to know the Biblical languages. Dr. J. Vernon McGee suggested giving theological exams to potential elders.
3:3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.
Paul will now list the negative qualifications. These are the things that an elder must not do.
The Greek word for "drunkard" is πάροινος (paroinas), meaning addicted to wine.
The Greek word for "not violent" is μὴ πλήκτην (may playktain), meaning a striker or brawler or one who likes to fight.
The Greek word for "gentle" is ἐπιεικής (epiekais), meaning one who keeps the spirit of the law.
The Greek word for "contentious" is ἄμαχος (amachas), meaning peaceable.
The Greek word for "free from the love of money" is ἀφιλάργυρος (haphilarguros), meaning not addicted to materialism.
3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.
An elder should have authority in his own home, without being a dictator.
3:5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?
If a man does not know how to rule his own home, then he does not have the ability to run the house of God.
3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.
The devil will take advantage of new converts. Pride was the great sin that brought Satan down. Satan has learned to use pride as one of his major weapons.
Sometimes, a Hollywood or sports celebrity will make a decision for Christ. Many will want to push them to the front as soon as possible. This is dangerous, because they do not yet have the Biblical understanding and maturity for the position. It is also a bad idea to allow them to become a guest speaker in the pulpit. They do not have enough Biblical knowledge to speak on spiritual things.
3:7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
Unbelievers must have respect for elders. If he does not pay his bills, he has a bad reputation, or he is a liar, then he is not a good candidate.
3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,
Next, Paul gave the qualifications of deacons.
The Greek word for "dignified" is σεμνός (semnos), meaning deeply respected.
The Greek word for "two-faced" is δίλογος (dilogos), meaning double-tongued, or saying one thing and meaning another.
The Greek word for "excessive drinking" is οἴνῳ πολλῷ (oinow pillow), meaning much wine. Notice that wine is not prohibited, but excessive wine that leads to drunkenness was prohibited.
The Greek word for "greedy for grain" is αἰσχροκερδής (aischrokerdais), meaning greedy for dishonest gain. If a greedy man steals money from the church, it makes the church look bad.
3:9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
The mystery of the faith is the new revelation of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. These doctrines were new revelation, because they were not mentioned in the Old Testament. The faith is the apostle's doctrine, which is taught in the apostolic epistles. These apostolic doctrines were to be taught with a clear conscience, not with a conscience seared by a hot iron.
3:10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.
New converts are not to be shoved too quickly into the office of deacon. Test them first to be sure that they are blameless.
3:11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.
The wives of deacons must also measure up to certain standards.
The Greek word for "dignified" is σεμνός (semnos), meaning respected and majestic. They should be calm and cool.
The Greek word for "slanderous" is διάβολος (diabolos), meaning to falsely slander, accuse, or defame. The Accuser is one of the proper names of Satan. They are not to be gossips. The gossip of a deacon's wife can bring down a church.
The Greek word for "temperate" is νηφαλέος (nayphaleos), meaning a clear mind, clear of intoxication. They are to be sober-minded and clear thinkers.
The Greek word for "faithful" is πιστός (pistes), meaning full of belief in God. She should be faithful to Christ, her husband, and to his cause, not her own cause.
The character trait for elder's wives is not mentioned, but this list reveals the mind of God on what He expects of women in marriage-leadership positions.
3:12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.
Deacons are not to follow the polygamist practices of other cultures. They are to be godly fathers to their children and they must run a godly household. These were the same family requirements of elders.
3:13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Greek word for "good standing" is βαθμός (bathos), meaning that their reputation should be on the highest step or righteousness.
The Greek word for "great boldness" is πολλὴν παρρησίαν (pollen porraysian), meaning much confidence in their witness. Most churches do not recognize that the office of deacon is primarily a spiritual office. Stephen debated many of the rabbi in the synagogues of Jerusalem, possibly even Paul himself. Philip taught Isaiah 53 to a traveling Ethiopian. These two men were deacons who knew the Scriptures extremely well. They were not just local businessmen who were ignorant of the Word of God. They were bold in their witnessing and accurate in their teaching.
Conduct in God’s Church
3:14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you
Paul was in Macedonia while Timothy was in Ephesus. Paul hoped to join him shortly.
3:15 in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.
The elders and deacons of the church were to practice godly conduct in the local church, because they represented the household of God. They were His family here on earth. They were the only pillars of truth in a Roman pagan world.
3:16 And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
This verse contains one of the earliest creeds of the church. All of the local churches agreed that the Word of God was an amazing revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ was revealed in the flesh, meaning that He was human, born of a virgin. He was vindicated by the Spirit, meaning that He had the proper introduction. He was seen by angels in human form and again in heaven in His deity. He was proclaimed among the Gentiles, not just the Jews. Many in the world believed upon Him and they are still believing today. He ascended up into heaven in his Shekinah Glory form.