I’ll take a brief break this morning to comment on these two lists Paul gives. Earlier I was reading Mike Ratliff’s latest post about discernment in the church. This is certainly an area to be included in that doctrine.
The topic came up when a friend shared a sermon their pastor recently preached. In the sermon the Pastor noted that these are good qualifications that “must” be in the lives of our leaders, but not only that but all men should aspire to these qualifications.
That seemed to be a good thought.
Qualifications for Elders (Pastors and Leaders in the Church)
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless,
the husband of one wife,
having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Tit 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;
not selfwilled,
not soon angry,
not given to wine,
no striker,
not given to filthy lucre;
Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality,
a lover of good men,
sober,
just,
holy,
temperate;
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught,
that he may be able by sound doctrine
both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
MANY ARE OTHERWISE…..
Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Tit 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Tit 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
If you read Mike’s post in the link above you will see my comment that Paul repeatedly calls out warning “of many” of those off the narrow path and on the broad way.
Let’s look at Paul’s other lists found in 1 Timothy 3.
Qualifications for Overseers (Elders)
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless,
the husband of one wife,
vigilant,
sober,
of good behaviour,
given to hospitality,
apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine,
no striker,
not greedy of filthy lucre;
but patient,
not a brawler,
not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house,
having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice,
lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
1Ti 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave,
not doubletongued,
not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre;
1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved;
then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless.
1Ti 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave,
not slanderers,
sober,
faithful in all things.
1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children
and their own houses well.
1Ti 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Notice there is lots of overlap.
I will on this final note.
Paul later writes personally to Timothy, again repeating his warning, but giving encouragement for knowing scripture and being able to apply and teach it through doctrine soundly.
2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
We can say Amen to that.
Btw, My perspective on the Historical Confessions and Catechisms is that though they are not scripture, they are proper and useful tools summaries that aid us in systematically understanding the doctrines the Bible teaches. They are documents to actual learn and confess, not stored on a shelf in our libraries.
Rainbow Trout 