The Eldership 2: Qualifications of an Elder
Relevant Scriptures
1 Timothy 3:1–7
Qualifications for Overseers
3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer1 must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Footnotes
[1] 3:2
Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1
[2] 3:2Or a man of one woman; also verse 12 (ESV)
Titus 1:5–9
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,1 and his children are believers2 and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,3 as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound4 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Footnotes
[1] 1:6
Or a man of one woman
[2] 1:6Or are faithful
[3] 1:7Or bishop; Greek episkopos
[4] 1:9Or healthy; also verse 13 (ESV)
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This sermon is part of the series The Eldership (2009).
