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Leadership

Introduction 1 Timothy 3:1-14

The Church of Jesus Christ is a wonderful example of Godliness at work in the world. It is viewed by many as Gods established authority to humanity. We as a government do not have laws and punishment as the world sees it fit but govern by the Will of God. This is viewed by many as not good enough but when followed it is the best form we could ever have. Righteous people serving a Righteous God and being a light to the world of what God's Kingdom is all about.

1.      The Office (1Tim 3:1-14)

·        The office of leadership in God's Kingdom is a good thing to desire, you seek God

·        It is a government that God places on this world to show himself to mankind, not like the world

·        (Eph 4:8-12) Christ gave himself and leaders to build the Church for growth and guidance

    a. This scripture shows that God's leaders are individuals that bring edification to the church

·        (Acts 26:14-19) Paul's life before a religious man but after conversions stands before Agrippa

    a. Would rather suffer for all to see than shame the office God placed him in

·        Leaders are called to lay their lives down for the Church

    a. The office demands it, this is a good thing because it gives us a sense of humility

    b. Many now have the sense that leadership is for personal gain, not so is a gift from God, don't forget

    c. Paul had it both ways his, to kill Christian and God's way to lay down his life for God

    d. Which do you think God was more impressed with? Paul the carnal or Paul the saint?

    e. The is what the office is all about, serving the flock of God, whom he died for

·        Is this your understanding of what it is God has called you to or are you playing church?

·       As a leader you hold the future of those around you, think about it heaven or hell

·       (1Pet 5:1-11) God command leaders to feed the flock and lead by examples

·        The office is like no other because the Lord is the one that will oversee you position

·        God has his eye on you what is in your heart and mind (beware)

    a. This office has a mandate and it is not for your glory but God's

    b. Leadership in God's kingdom is that when you see Jesus on the Cross, sacrifice

    c. If this is not your intention, you have missed the mark

2.      The Standards (vs. 1-8)

·       Blameless - You must be a Holy individual as Christ - this is seem in your relationship with God and man.

·       Husband of one wife - Dedicated to one women not one that has many loves in his life

·       Overseer - You watch God's kingdom and make sure that you protect it from the devil

·       Good behavior - You are one that is a joy to be around with a example of Holiness

·       Hospitable - Approachable by all people that seek God's grace and direction

·       A teacher - One that will deliver God's word to those in need of it, given to prayer and fasting

·        No brawler - You don't rule by your position but understand that God's is your shield

·        Not greedy - You don't seek wealth or ways to steal from those under you, a good steward

·        Family in order - Your family understands their position in the church as you do

·        No novice - You must know The Word of God, this comes thru dedication, danger in pride

·        Good report - people see you as a Man of God, again this comes as your pure in heart and mind

3.      Your Duty (Acts 6:1-8)

·       Your duty is to make sure that the flock is cared for both in Word and carnally

Understand that as Church Leaders we have a call to seek God but don't forget you are there to serve

Many miss the mark and believe that Church Leadership is only about the ministry

The ministry is all about the flock and this you can not avoid

Let's look at Christ

(Luke 9:11-17) - Fed the multitudes

(Matt 4:23-25) - Healed the sick

(John 13:5-11) - Washed the disciples feet

(Luke 23:33-34) - The Cross of Calvary

Many other works God does read your bibles both new and old testaments

Since creation God has prepared a place for man (garden, promised land, heaven)

Your duty is to see leadership as God does anything less is sin

Religion is folly because it views the church as most important, not the case

The house of God is humanity, (I Cor 6:19-20)

What is it all about? The salvation of the world

Leadership is not a position of glory but sacrifice

What is it to you leader? Do you serve or are you served?

It's important because this determines what your ministry consists of

You are not Lord, Jesus Christ is Lord, leaders (John 13:12-17)

(Acts 20:26-38) Let's look at Paul's view in all of this

Paul understood and taught about leadership his concern was not life but God's people

If this is not your concern then you are not a leader

Your duty is to serve

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1 Tim 3:1-14
3:1 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 behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
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.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
KJV

Eph 4:8-12
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
KJV

Acts 26:14-19
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
KJV

1 Peter 5:1-11
5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
KJV

Acts 6:1-8
6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
KJV

Luke 9:11-17
11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
KJV

Matt 4:23-25
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
KJV

John 13:5-11
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
KJV

Luke 23:33-34
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
KJV

1 Cor 6:19-20
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
KJV

John 13:12-17
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
KJV

Acts 20:26-38
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 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.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
KJV

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1 Tim 3:1-7; 1 Tim 3:8-13

Duties of bishops
The two epistles to Timothy, and that to Titus, contain a scripture-plan of church-government, or a direction to ministers. Timothy, we suppose, was an evangelist who was left at Ephesus, to take care of those whom the Holy Ghost had made bishops there, that is, the presbyters, as appears by Acts 20:28, where the care of the church was committed to the presbyters, and they were called bishops. It seems they were very loth to part with Paul, especially because he told them they should see his face no more (Acts 20:38); for their church was but newly planted, they were afraid of undertaking the care of it, and therefore Paul left Timothy with them to set them in order. And here we have the character of a gospel minister, whose office it is, as a bishop, to preside in a particular congregation of Christians: If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work, v. 1. Observe,
I. The ministry is a work. However the office of a bishop may be now thought a good preferment, then it was thought a good work.
1. The office of a scripture-bishop is an office of divine appointment, and not of human invention. The ministry is not a creature of the state, and it is a pity that the minister should be at any time the tool of the state. The office of the ministry was in the church before the magistrate countenanced Christianity, for this office is one of the great gifts Christ has bestowed on the church, Eph 4:8-11.
2. This office of a Christian bishop is a work, which requires diligence and application: the apostle represents it under the notion and character of a work; not of great honour and advantage, for ministers should always look more to their work than to the honour and advantage of their office.
3. It is a good work, a work of the greatest importance, and designed for the greatest good: the ministry is conversant about no lower concerns than the life and happiness of immortal souls; it is a good work, because designed to illustrate the divine perfections in bringing many sons to glory; the ministry is appointed to open men's eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, etc., Acts 26:18.
4. There ought to be an earnest desire of the office in those who would be put into it; if a man desire, he should earnestly desire it for the prospect he has of bringing greater glory to God, and of doing the greatest good to the souls of men by this means. This is the question proposed to those who offer themselves to the ministry of the church of England: "Do you think you are moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you this office?"
II. In order to the discharge of this office, the doing of this work, the workman must be qualified.
1. A minister must be blameless, he must not lie under any scandal; he must give as little occasion for blame as can be, because this would be a prejudice to his ministry and would reflect reproach upon his office.
2. He must be the husband of one wife; not having given a bill of divorce to one, and then taken another, or not having many wives at once, as at that time was too common both among Jews and Gentiles, especially among the Gentiles.
3. He must be vigilant and watchful against Satan, that subtle enemy; he must watch over himself, and the souls of those who are committed to his charge, of whom having taken the oversight, he must improve all opportunities of doing them good. A minister ought to be vigilant, because our adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5:8.
4. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are often in scripture put together, because they mutually befriend one another: Be sober, be vigilant.
5. He must be of good behaviour, composed and solid, and not light, vain, and frothy.
6. He must be given to hospitality, open-handed to strangers, and ready to entertain them according to his ability, as one who does not set his heart upon the wealth of the world and who is a true lover of his brethren.
7. Apt to teach. Therefore this is a preaching bishop whom Paul describes, one who is both able and willing to communicate to others the knowledge which God has given him, one who is fit to teach and ready to take all opportunities of giving instructions, who is himself well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven, and is communicative of what he knows to others.
8. No drunkard: Not given to wine. The priests were not to drink wine when they went in to minister (Lev 10:8-9), lest they should drink and pervert the law.
9. No striker; one who is not quarrelsome, nor apt to use violence to any, but does every thing with mildness, love, and gentleness. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all, etc., 2 Tim 2:24.
10. One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so.
11. He must be patient, and not a brawler, of a mild disposition. Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, is so. Not apt to be angry or quarrelsome; as not a striker with his hands, so not a brawler with his tongue; for how shall men teach others to govern their tongues who do not make conscience of keeping them under good government themselves?
12. Not covetous. Covetousness is bad in any, but it is worst in a minister, whose calling leads him to converse so much with another world.
13. He must be one who keeps his family in good order: That rules well his own house, that he may set a good example to other masters of families to do so too, and that he may thereby give a proof of his ability to take care of the church of God: For, if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God. Observe, The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all others families. Ministers must have their children in subjection; then it is the duty of ministers' children to submit to the instructions that are given them.- - With all gravity. The best way to keep inferiors in subjection, is to be grave with them. Not having his children in subjection with all austerity, but with all gravity.
14. He must not be a novice, not one newly brought to the Christian religion, or not one who is but meanly instructed in it, who knows no more of religion than the surface of it, for such a one is apt to be lifted up with pride: the more ignorant men are the more proud they are: Lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. The devils fell through pride, which is a good reason why we should take heed of pride, because it is a sin that turned angels into devils.
15. He must be of good reputation among his neighbours, and under no reproach from former conversation; for the devil will make use of that to ensnare others, and work in them an aversion to the doctrine of Christ preached by those who have not had a good report.
III. Upon the whole, having briefly gone through the qualifications of a gospel-bishop, we may infer,
1. What great reason we have to cry out, as Paul does, Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Cor 2:16. Hic labor, hoc opus-This is a work indeed. What piety, what prudence, what zeal, what courage, what faithfulness, what watchfulness over ourselves, our lusts, appetites, and passions, and over those under our charge; I say, what holy watchfulness is necessary in this work!
2. Have not the best qualified and the most faithful and conscientious ministers just reason to complain against themselves, that so much is requisite by way of qualification, and so much work is necessary to be done? And, alas! how far short do the best come of what they should be and what they should do!
3. Yet let those bless God, and be thankful, whom the Lord has enabled, and counted faithful, putting them into the ministry: if God is pleased to make any in some degree able and faithful, let him have the praise and glory of it.
4. For the encouragement of all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Matt 28:20. And, if he be with us, he will fit us for our work in some measure, will carry us through the difficulties of it with comfort, graciously pardon our imperfections, and reward our faithfulness with a crown of glory that fadeth not away, 1 Peter 5:4.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Qualifications of deacons
We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Acts 6:2,4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Acts 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave. Gravity becomes all Christians, but especially those who are in the office in the church. Not doubled-tongued; that will say one thing to one and another thing to another, according as their interests leads them: a double tongue comes from a double heart; flatterers and slanderers are double-tongued. Not given to much wine; for this is a great disparagement to any man, especially to a Christian, and one in office, unfits men for business, opens the door to many temptations. Not greedy of filthy lucre; this would especially be bad in the deacons, who were entrusted with the church's money, and, if they were covetous and greedy of filthy lucre, would be tempted to embezzle it, and convert that to their own use which was intended for the public service. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, v. 9.
Note, The mystery of faith is best held in a pure conscience. The practical love of truth is the most powerful preservative from error and delusion. If we keep a pure conscience (take heed of every thing that debauches conscience, and draws us away from God), this will preserve in our souls the mystery of faith. Let these also first be proved, v. 10. It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved. Their wives likewise must have a good character (v. 11); they must be of a grave behaviour, not slanderers, tale-bearers, carrying stories to make mischief and sow discord; they must be sober and faithful in all things, not given to any excess, but trusty in all that is committed to them. All who are related to ministers must double their care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, lest, if they in any thing walk disorderly, the ministry be blamed. As he said before of the bishops or ministers, so here of the deacons, they must be the husband of one wife, such as had not put away their wives, upon dislike, and married others; they must rule their children and their own houses well; the families of deacons should be examples to other families. And the reason why the deacons must be thus qualified is (v. 13) because, though the office of a deacon be of an inferior degree, yet it is a step towards the higher degree; and those who had served tables well the church might see cause afterwards to discharge from that service, and prefer to serve in preaching the word and in prayer. Or it may be meant of the good reputation that a man would gain by his fidelity in this office: they will purchase to themselves great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Observe,
1. In the primitive church there were but two orders of ministers or officers, bishops and deacons, Phil 1:1. After-ages have invented the rest. The office of the bishop, presbyter, pastor, or minister, was confined to prayer and to the ministry of the word; and the office of the deacon was confined to, or at least principally conversant about, serving tables. Clemens Romanus, in his epistle to the Christian (cap. 42, 44), speaks very fully and plainly to this effect, that the apostles, foreknowing, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would arise in the Christian church a controversy about the name episcopacy, appointed the forementioned orders, bishops and deacons.
2. The scripture-deacon's main employment was to serve tables, and not to preach or baptize. It is true, indeed, that Philip did preach and baptize in Samaria (Acts 8), but you read that he was an evangelist (Acts 21:8), and he might preach and baptize, and perform any other part of the ministerial office, under that character; but still the design of the deacon's office was to mind the temporal concerns of the church, such as the salaries of the ministers and providing for the poor.
3. Several qualifications were very necessary, even for these inferior officers: The deacons must be grave, etc.
4. Some trial should be made of persons' qualifications before they are admitted into office in the church, or have any trust committed to them: Let these also first be proved.
5. Integrity and uprightness in an inferior office are the way to be preferred to a higher station in the church: They purchase to themselves a good degree.
6. This will also give a man great boldness in the faith, whereas a want of integrity and uprightness will make a man timorous, and ready to tremble at his own shadow. The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion, Prov 28:1.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

1 Tim 3:1; 1 Tim 3:2; 1 Tim 3:3; 1 Tim 3:4-6; 1 Tim 3:7; 1 Tim 3:8; 1 Tim 3:9; 1 Tim 3:10; 1 Tim 3:11-12; 1 Tim 3:13-16

1 Timothy 3:1
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 a. The opening words of this section probably belong with the last thought of chapter 2, as is suggested in the ASV margin. All the other occurrences of the saying (1 Tim 1:15; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8) seem to follow or precede weighty statements of Gospel doctrine. It is so here, also, if the childbearing of 1 Tim 2:15 be taken to refer to the birth of the Saviour. This seems the preferable interpretation.
Paul then begins a consideration of an elder's qualifications, which he treats in orderly fashion: personally (vv. 2,3), as regards his family (vv. 4,5), as regards the church (vv. 5,6), and as regards the heathen world (v. 7). In the second half of this section the apostle deals with deacons and deaconesses (vv. 8-13), whose qualifications are parallel to those of elders. (For classic discussions of the function and office of elder, see Charles Hodge, Church Polity, Index. "Elder"; D. D. Bannerman, The Scripture Doctrine of the Church, Part VI, ch. iv; and also Lightfoot's essay, "The Christian Ministry," Commentary on Philippians, pp. 181-269).
Verse 1. Office of a bishop. One word; it also occurs at Luke 19:44; Acts 1:20, and 1 Peter 2:12. (The English sometimes reads "visitation.") The cognate verb occurs at Heb 12:15, suggesting that the basic function is a responsibility of every believer. The word bishop occurs at Acts 20:28; Phil 1:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25. The office of elder and bishop are the same; in Titus 1:5,7 both words are used of the same people in successive verses. In Acts 20:28 it is the elders whom the Holy Spirit has set as bishops (AV, overseers) in the Church. If a man desire the office . . . he desireth, etc. Two words are used for desire here. The first is used only here, in 1 Tim 6:10, and in Heb 11:16. A man's earnest desire for the office should be like Abraham's desire for the heavenly country. The other word is used more frequently, but also expresses earnest desire (Heb 6:11; 1 Peter 1:12; Luke 22:15).

1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Blameless. Irreproachable; the same Greek word is used in 1 Tim 5:7 and 6:14. Vigilant. ASV, temperate. Originally meant "temperate in use of wine," but here it is to be taken figuratively, since the next verse forbids intemperance. The cognate verb means to be self-controlled or self-possessed. Sober. Sober-minded (ASV); see also Titus 1:8; 2:2,5. Of good behaviour. Orderly (ASV); used of women's clothing in 1 Tim 2:9. Hospitality. Used in Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. A similar noun is used in Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2. Apt to teach. Used only here and in 2 Tim 2:24: in the one place of the elder, in the other of the minister.

1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Not given to wine. No brawler (ASV); not quarrelsome over wine (ASV margin); no drunkard (RSV). No striker. Not pugnacious or a bully. Used only here and Titus 1:7. Not greedy of filthy lucre. Does not belong in the text at this point because it does not appear in the best manuscript. It obviously duplicates the covetousness at the end of the verse. Perhaps it was taken from the similar list of virtues in Titus 1:7. Patient. Gentle (ASV) or yielding (Phil 4:5; Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:18). Not a brawler. Not contentious (ASV), as in Titus 3:2. Not covetous. No lover of money (ASV). Used only here and in Heb 13:5.

1 Timothy 3:4-6
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
Ruleth. To be at the head of leadership and direction are prominent in the word, as indicated in the following clause, and in 1 Tim 3:5. The verb in 3:5 (used elsewhere only in Luke 10:34-35) is explanatory of the ruleth of verse 4, with increased emphasis on the tender care implied. 6. Not a novice. Not newly-converted. Occurs only here in the NT. "But, instead of being a neophytos, one of whose behaviour in his new faith little can be known, he must also have a good testimony (not only from those within the church, but) from those without" (C. J. Ellicott, ed., A Bible Commentary for English Readers Vol. VII). Pride. Puffed up by too rapid advancement. Condemnation. See 1 Tim 3:7.

1 Timothy 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.
He must have a good report of them which are without. See Ellicott's paraphrase above (v. 6). The same thought is found in Rom 12:17 b, which is quoted from Proverbs. Note the ASV margin: Let not kindness and truth forsake thee . . . so shalt thou find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man (Prov 3:3-4). Notice the warning against pride in the same OT context (Prov 3:7), also quoted in Rom 12:16 b. Reproach. This is a parallel to the condemnation pronounced upon Satan because of pride (see Isa 14:12-15). Snare. Used in 1 Tim 6:9 and 2 Tim 2:26. Pride was the cause of Satan's fall, and is the snare he sets for men (1 John 2:16).

1 Timothy 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Likewise. In like manner. The principal thought seems to be that there should be the same kind and degree of gifts and qualifications for deacons as for elders. Grave. Honorable, commanding respect. Not double-tongued. Truthful. Not given to much wine. The Bible testimony is consistently against the use of strong drink. The practical application of the principle in modern society is total abstinence. Filthy lucre. Used also in Titus 1:7, and the adverb in 1 Peter 5:2. A compound word, the two components of which are used separately in Titus 1:11. In 1 Peter 5:2 the word is opposed to willingly. The subject of economic motives is discussed more fully by Paul in 1 Tim 6:5-10,17-19 (see below). The truism holds: not money, but love of it, is a root of all kinds of evil. The admonition is particularly relevant to the kind of responsibilities the deacon has.

1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Faith. Here again is the union of the doctrinal and practical aspects of Christianity: the faith is to be held in an obedient conscience, not defiled by disobedience. The expression mystery of the faith does not mean that there is some esoteric secret known only to the initiated. Paul's usage starts with the appearance of Christ in the flesh, as in verse 16 below. The mystery is not a secret to be kept, but a message to be proclaimed (Rom 16:25; Col 4:3).

1 Timothy 3:10
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Proved. Not necessarily by a formal test, but by the approval of the church. The then is significant: it appears to mean that candidates are to be approved before taking office, then serve; not to be proved in office.

1 Timothy 3:11-12
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Their wives. Women (AV). The context makes this most naturally refer to women who are acting in the capacity of deacons, as deaconesses. The apostle immediately returns to the subject of deacons in general and completes his remarks concerning them. The word grave and related words occur frequently in the Pastorals. The same virtue is required of deacons (v. 8) and elderly men (Titus 2:2). Slanderers. The Greek word for "slanderer" is diabolos (Eng., "devil), the name given to Satan in the NT; he is the slanderer par excellence. Here, in 2 Tim 3:3, and in Titus 2:3, the word is used of men. Sober. As in 1 Tim 3:2 and Titus 2:2. Faithful. Believing, believer, or (as in the faithful sayings) trustworthy, faithful. The corresponding noun, faith, is enumerated in the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22. The noun, like the adjective, can mean either faith in the active sense, "believing." or that "faithfulness" which produces confidence on the part of others and may help to inspire faith. 12. See verses 4,5 above; the same words are used.

1 Timothy 3:13-16
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.
Paul closes this section as he began it in verse 1, with an argument designed to encourage the aspiring church leader. Those who serve well purchase or gain for themselves a good standing (ASV). The word boldness here probably means "ground of" or "cause for" boldness. Thus it could be paralled to, and explanatory of, the preceding standing (which is literally a step or foundation on which one stands). One who serves well finds the Lord faithful: he purchases for himself a good foundation and ground of boldness in the faith (fulness), which is in Christ Jesus. They that have used the office . . . well. Probably refers not only to the deacons but to the elders as well.
B. To the Church as Pillar and Ground of the Truth. 3:14-4:5.

(from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press)