1 Timothy 3 Pt. 2 Spiritual Qualifications For Bishops, Elders and Pastors

A bishop, elder or pastor must be called by God. 

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 

Paul began this chapter by reminding us about the office of a bishop or elder. If a man has a desire for this office, then that is a good thing. 

We must add "pastor" to the list of elders or bishops, for the areas of spiritual responsibilities are the same. 

However, a man must be called of God in order to seek the office of an elder, pastor or bishop. 

He must have clear indication that the Holy Spirit has placed a strong, undeniable calling to the ministry upon his heart. 

After laying this foundation, Paul turns to lay down the qualifications for those who seek the office of a bishop, pastor or elder. 

The Greek word translated "bishop" or "elder" is a word that means one who has oversight. He regularly inspects his area of oversight, to ensure conformity to a standard. 

In a production setting, this person would be like a plant manager, superintending all areas of operations, to ensure that company goals and standards are met.

In the church of Jesus Christ, a bishop or elder has oversight over the spiritual condition of a local church. 

He seeks to ensure that the church as a whole is conforming to the standard of scripture. 

Some may say "Well, seeking our conformity to a standard is like legalism." Many professing Christians think like this, and such thinking is not Biblically grounded.

American Christians in particular, have a distorted view that somehow, they do not have to listen to those whom God placed in authority over them. This includes Federal, State or local authorities. 

Sovereign God places rulers into office and He removes them. 

Daniel 2:20-22  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21)  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22)  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 

The will of God is crystal clear on the issue of our civic duty and compliance with the law. We must submit and obey unless we are being compelled to do something that is contradicted by the Word of God. 

Why? Because God sets rulers up and He deposes them. according to His perfect will. He changes the times and seasons of governments, by removing or setting up kings, and rulers. 

Since God set them in place, why we would ever think that we can disobey civil authorities, when it is our great God who established or removed them?

(See Deuteronomy 17:12; Proverbs 8:15-16; Daniel 4:34-37; Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17).

Acts 5:28-33  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29)  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30)  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31)  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32)  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33)  When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 

Now, if civil authorities tell us to do anything that God's Word says we must not do, then our choice is clear. 

Peter and John were arrested by the religious authorities, who previously commanded them to stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Peter's answer must be our response if we ever face such a situation. "We ought to obey God rather than men!"

Maintaining the standard of God's Word. 

John 12:47-48  And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48)  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

A bishop, elder or pastor keeps watch over his flock, seeking to protect it from false teachers, making sure that false teaching does not spread into the church. 

He observes his brothers and sisters in Christ, to see if there are needs that he can help meet, or burdens that he can come along side to bear with them. 

Acts 20:29-31  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

These are a portion of Paul's farewell words spoke to the elders from Ephesus. 

You can see his apostolic concern that false teachers will arise from within the church and some will come from outside the church.

His command to them was to "watch" to be on guard against false teachers day and night. 

He commanded them to remember the apostolic doctrine that Paul delivered to them, because it is the infallible standard of comparison, when some new teaching arises. 

A man serving as a bishop or elder has an important duty to God. He safeguards the church from doctrinal error. 

He addresses sin in the church, so that Biblical discipline can be administered. 

He leads by example, preferring a life of godliness rather than worldliness. 

The standard used is the Word of God. It is an infallible rule of conduct from God to govern and guide our lives. 

A bishop, pastor or elder must be blameless. 

Philippians 2:14-16  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

A bishop must be "blameless." This word means that no sin can be charged against a man. The word "blameless" is a boxing term used of a skilled fighter who defends his body so that his opponent cannot land a clear blow. 

When we live a blameless life, we have a testimony that we are a child of God. As we honor God in the midst of a vile and corrupt culture, our light shines out more brightly. 

God will give us opportunities to share the word of life with sinners, that He might save their soul. 

Living a life that honors God and seeks His glory, is the goal for all Christians, not just a bishop, elder or pastor. 

But, virtue and integrity are especially needed for men called by God to serve as overseers in His church. 

What is clear is that a bishop, pastor or elder must live a clean, God honoring life that is above reproach. His own life must conform to the standard of God's Word. 

A bishop, elder or pastor must be the husband of one wife. 

Matthew 19:4-6  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5)  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6)  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

A bishop, pastor or elder must be "the husband of one wife." In the time of the apostles, some men committed polygamy by having two wives. Such practice is against God's will for the family unit.

It also means that the pastor, elder or bishop cannot be a man who has divorced and remarried.

He must be the husband of one wife, not being divorced and then remarried. He must never have many wives at once, as was common both among Jews and Gentiles, especially among the pagan Gentiles.

A bishop, elder, or pastor must be vigilant. 

1 Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

The word "vigilant" is translated "sober" in this text. It reminds us that a bishop, elder or pastor, must not lose sight of the return of Jesus Christ. 

He will give an account to the Lord Jesus, for his stewardship of the flock entrusted to his care. 

This becomes strong motivation to serve God with love and an abiding passion, in carrying out the spiritual duties required of that office. 

Thus, a bishop, elder or pastor must dedicate themselves to prayer, and always seek to serve the Lord with all their being.

He must be a man who is temperate in all things. He is not drawn away by the lusts of his flesh. He is not given to emotional extremes. 

What we learned so far in our examination of the qualifications for the office of bishop, elder or pastor, will help us know how to pray for the leaders in our churches.

May we all increase our prayers on behalf of the civil authorities that God placed over us (See 1 Timothy 2:1-6).

May we pray diligently for the leaders in our churches, that the Spirit of God strengthen them and grant them grace to meet the needs as they engage in gospel ministry.

Bob