nice, likeable men of good character; fine husbands & fathers

Nice, likeable men of good

character; fine husbands &

fathers

Elder qualifications

Nice, likeable men of good

character; fine husbands &

fathers

Elder qualifications

?

Purpose of our studies will be to “balance the scales” regarding elder qualifications and explain the statement I made in previous lesson.

Elder qualifications

I Timothy 3:1-7

Titus 1:5-9

Elder qualifications

All Christians Phil. 2:15Tit. 2:2Tit. 2:2,51 Tim. 2:9Rom. 12:13Tit. 3:21 Pet. 2:12Phil. 2:15Rom. 12:9Phil. 4:81 Tim. 2:82 Pet. 1:6

Elders

1 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:31 Tim. 3:7Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:8

Positive Characteristics

Without reproachTemperate

SobermindedOrderly

HospitableGentle

Good testimony from withoutBlameless

Lover of goodJustHoly

Self-controlled

All Christians Rom. 12:18

1 Tim. 6:10Jas. 3:17Col. 3:81 Tim. 6:10

Elders

1 Tim. 3:3

Tit. 1:7

Negative Characteristics

No brawlerNo striker

Not contentiousNo lover of money

Not self-willedNot soon angry

Not greedy of filthy lucreIf these positive and negative character traits were all that were involved, every man at Parkway would be qualified to

serve as an elder…

And herein lies the “problem”: this is often all some look at when thinking of whether or not a man is qualified to be

an elder.

All men

Eph. 5:22-23Heb. 5:12Eph. 5:22-23Eph. 6:4Heb. 6:1Eph. 6:1-4Heb. 5:12,14

Elders

1 Tim. 3:11 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:4

1 Tim. 3:6Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:91 Tim. 3:1

“Special” Characteristics

A manHusband of one wife

Apt to teachRules well own house

Children in subjection with all gravityNo novice

Faithful childrenHold to faithful word

Desire

With but one exception (desire) all men are to meet the standard of

1 Tim. 3 & Tit. 1With no exceptions all women are to

meet the positive and negative qualifications.

All men

Eph. 5:22-23Heb. 5:12Eph. 5:22-23Eph. 6:4Heb. 6:1Eph. 6:1-4Heb. 5:12,14

Elders

1 Tim. 3:11 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:4

1 Tim. 3:6Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:91 Tim. 3:1

“Special” Characteristics

A manHusband of one wife

Apt to teachRules well own house

Children in subjection with all gravityNo novice

Faithful childrenHold to faithful word

Desire

“Husband of one wife” means “a one woman man”

One not a polygamistOne who is faithful to his wifeIf wife dies, having demonstrated this quality, he can continue to serve.Doesn’t have two wives if he remarries

All men

Eph. 5:22-23Heb. 5:12Eph. 5:22-23Eph. 6:4Heb. 6:1Eph. 6:1-4Heb. 5:12,14

Elders

1 Tim. 3:11 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:4

1 Tim. 3:6Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:91 Tim. 3:1

“Special” Characteristics

A manHusband of one wife

Apt to teachRules well own house

Children in subjection with all gravityNo novice

Faithful childrenHold to faithful word

Desire“Apt to teach” means one who is skilled at teaching but not necessarily one skilled at teaching publicly.

All men

Eph. 5:22-23Heb. 5:12Eph. 5:22-23Eph. 6:4Heb. 6:1Eph. 6:1-4Heb. 5:12,14

Elders

1 Tim. 3:11 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:4

1 Tim. 3:6Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:91 Tim. 3:1

“Special” Characteristics

A manHusband of one wife

Apt to teachRules well own house

Children in subjection with all gravityNo novice

Faithful childrenHold to faithful word

Desire“Rules”= provides for

“Children” not restricted to plurality

“Faithful”=faithful to the father

All men

Eph. 5:22-23Heb. 5:12Eph. 5:22-23Eph. 6:4Heb. 6:1Eph. 6:1-4Heb. 5:12,14

Elders

1 Tim. 3:11 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:4

1 Tim. 3:6Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:91 Tim. 3:1

“Special” Characteristics

A manHusband of one wife

Apt to teachRules well own house

Children in subjection with all gravityNo novice

Faithful childrenHold to faithful word

Desire

“No novice”=one “newly planted”, i.e., a new Christian

All men

Eph. 5:22-23Heb. 5:12Eph. 5:22-23Eph. 6:4Heb. 6:1Eph. 6:1-4Heb. 5:12,14

Elders

1 Tim. 3:11 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 3:4

1 Tim. 3:6Tit. 1:6Tit. 1:91 Tim. 3:1

“Special” Characteristics

A manHusband of one wife

Apt to teachRules well own house

Children in subjection with all gravityNo novice

Faithful childrenHold to faithful word

Desire

“Hold to faithful word”=one who knows and respects God’s will

“Desire”=craving, longing

1 Tim. 3Tit. 1

?Primarily character

qualities all Christians must have

? 1 Tim. 3Tit. 1

Primarily character qualities all

Christians must have

? 1 Tim. 3Tit. 1

these are the things you should have

done without neglecting the

others. Matt. 23:23

NamesWork

1 Tim. 3Tit. 1

The names applied to congregational leaders

Overseer/Bishop

All passages

Lk. 19:44; Acts 1:20; Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1,2; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:12,25

Elders do not have an “office”There is no word representing

office Vine

A man charged with the duty of seeing to it that things to be done by others are done rightly…one who watches over their welfare

Thayer

The names applied to congregational leaders

Pastor/Shepherd

All passages

Matt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mk. 6:34; 14:27; Lk. 2:8, 15, 18, 20; John 10:2,11,12,14,16; Eph. 4:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25

Pastors guide as well as feed the flock…this involves tender care and vigilant superintendence.

Vine

The whole office of the shepherd, the guiding, guarding, feeding of the flock, as well as the finding of

nourishment for it…those who are, or should be, the faithful

guides and guardians of others committed to their care.

Trench

The names applied to congregational leaders

Elder/Presbyter

Some passages

1 Tim. 4:14; 5:17; Tit. 1:5; Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2,4,6, 22,23; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1

emphasis upon maturity of judgment more than mere age…

In some languages Presbuteros is best rendered as

'older leaders,' but in other languages the more appropriate term would be the equivalent of

'counselor,' since it would be assumed that counselors would be older than the average person in a group as well as having authority

to lead and direct activities.Louw and Nida

The names applied to congregational leaders

Elder/Presbyter

Overseer/Bishop

Pastor/Shepherd

Qualities necessarily inferred

Chronological age is relative; primarily dignity, maturity, spiritual experience

Overseeing, superintending, taking charge, taking the lead

Taking care of the flock, proving for all spiritual needs

These qualities have nothing to do with moral character: being good men

If these are names by which these men are called, should it not follow that these are qualities these men must have?

NamesWork

1 Tim. 3Tit. 1

The work of congregational leaders

Acts 20:28 Take heed unto the flock...Feed the church To turn one’s mind and attention to something. Lenski and Vine Feeding the flock from the Word of God is the constant and regularnecessity. Vine

Acts 20:31 Therefore be on the alert To give strict attention to, be cautious, active…be watchful. Thayer,Arndt and Gingrich

The work of congregational leaders

Acts 20:35 Help the weak It has reference to caring for God’s poor. McGarvey

1 Thess. 5:12 Labor...Over you...Admonish To labor with wearisome effort, to toil…work hard, toil, strive,

struggle Arndt and Gingrich and Thayer To stand before, hence to lead, to direct, attend to. Vine Warn, instruct…mainly has in view the things that are wrong and

call for a warning. Arndt and Gingrich and Vine.

The work of congregational leaders

1 Tim. 3:1 Work A task that calls for all of the man’s energy and not a mere honor to

be enjoyed. Lenski

1 Tim. 3:5 Take care of the church Involving forethought and provision. Vine

The work of congregational leaders

1 Tim. 5:17 Labor in word and teaching To labor with wearisome effort, to toil…work hard, strive, struggle.Thayer and Arndt and Gingrich

Tit. 1:9-11 Hold firm to trustworthy word…Give instruction in thesound doctrine... Rebuke those who contradict it

Be devoted to, cleave to Vine To urge one to pursue some course of conduct. Vine To bring to light, to expose. Thayer

The work of congregational leaders

Heb. 13:17 Rule over...Watch in behalf of souls To go before…leading as respects influence, controlling in counsel.Thayer To be sleepless…the watchfulness of those who are intent upon a

thing…to exercise constant vigilance. Vine

1 Pet. 5:2-3 Tend the flock...Exercise oversight of flock...Examples to the flock

Tend flock same as in Acts 20:28 To look upon, contemplate…It is not a matter of assuming a

position, but of the discharge of the duties. Vine An example to be imitated. Thayer

The work of congregational leaders

Acts 20:28 Take heed, feedActs 20:31 WatchActs 20:35 Help weak1 Thess. 5:12 Be over, admonish1 Tim. 3:1 Oversee1 Tim. 3:5 Take care of God’s churchTit. 1:9-11 Hold firm to word, give instruction, rebukeHeb. 13:17 Rule over, watch1 Pet. 5:2-3 Take oversight, be examples

It is not necessarily a reflection on a man’s character if he is unable or unwilling to do these things. One reason we say there is more to being an

elder than having good character, being a nice man.

NamesWork

1 Tim. 3Tit. 1

Proper balance and emphasis needed to have qualified men