The List Goes On

Sorry I had to spread this over several weeks, but I was out with camp ministry and then catching up. Here's 1 Timothy 3:3, NASB:

…not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

Here're some more qualifications for an overseer:

1. Not addicted to wine. It's a straightforward statement for us. The way Paul words the phrase here; it cannot mean the wine is prohibited. But states that it's the effect of frequent or overindulging alcohol are prohibited. Adam Clark evens goes further: the "word not only signifies one who is inordinately attached to wine, a winebibber or tippler, but also one who is imperious, abusive, insolent, whether through wine or otherwise." I see the principle taught in Scripture, but not here.
   
2. Pugnacious. It's also translated as contentious (NKJV), a striker (KJV), or violent (ESV). The meaning is that the leader is not to be one who strikes out (physically or verbally) at those who disagree with him. This was one of my sins early in ministry. I still pray about remaining in control. Prayer works.
   

Instead, he's to be…

1. Gentle. This is a better translation than KJV's "patient." Paul is contrasting this thought with pugnacious-ness. One must, therefore, certainly be patient, but the opposite is better described as gentle. Gentle means tame or polite compared to a striker.
   
2. Peaceable. Now he's to be one who promotes peace in a situation.
   
3. Free from the love of money. Understand there is only one Greek word in the English phrase more literally meaning "without covetousness" and usually used in relation to money and material items.
   

More next time because the list goes on.

Back in the Saddle

I'm back from Camp Elohim and catching up on paperwork and visits. I'll be posting again about 1 Timothy in a few days.

Hiatus

I leave for Bible camp for two weeks on Sunday. The planning is all done but I need to spend extra time preparing, packing, and praying. We've also got a church party tonight and I have a wedding to do tomorrow. All this to say, don't expect much from me in the next 21 days. Thanks for being there.

The List Begins

1 Timothy 3:2
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, …

The word "overseer" refers to one who is in charge (has inspection rights) of an organization or person. The use of "bishop" in some translations appears to be a reliance on the Latin translated to English. So what are the qualifications of overseers.

1. Above reproach. This seems to eliminate everyone at the outset. "For all have sinned…" and are, therefore, reproachable. Is Paul/God demanding perfection for those in leadership? No. We know that's quite impossible.
   Considering the context of church leadership the "above reproach" requirement seems best applied to matters of biblical doctrine and immorality of all sorts. We're all sinners.
   So, does the leader keep a short account?
   Is he willing to confess whenever necessary?
   Can he be accused publically for a major downfall?
   Does he accuse others of a sin of which he himself is guilty?
   Does he teach accurately from the Scriptures?
   Is he above reproach?
   
2. The husband of one wife. balance is the key here, I believe. Too strictly enforce this and the church must say that no single man may serve in leadership. Too loosely apply this and the church could end up (and literally end) using an unmarried philanderer.
   The best application seems to be to ascertain whether or not the man leads a lifestyle that demonstrates he is in love with and committed o his wife. If he's been married before, he should be willing to acknowledge the sinfulness of his divorce and willingness to obey God's commands concerning marriage and faithfulness.
   
3. Temperate. the King James says "vigilant." Watchful. A sober person is better able to watch over and care for himself, his business, and his actions. An intemperate person cannot have the presence of mind to properly guard and care for a congregation.
   
4. Prudent. immediately following temperance is self-control. Once a difficulty or problem is identified through watchfulness does he apply sound judgment to the situation?
   
5. Respectable. the root of this Greek word means orderly. Whereas prudent refers to of the mind, here ones actions are in view. One who is the rude, clownish, or ill-mannered should not rule over God's people.
   
6. Hospitable. the Greek word derives from two others: brotherly love and alien or foreign. So, one who loves to care for strangers.
   
7. Able to teach. teaching is a gift of the Spirit. Paul says the leader should be so gifted, having the strong desire to share that which he learns. He is one who is ready to communicate effectively God's Word to others. Because of the possibility of one-on-one counseling, the ability must be demonstrated during informal situations as well as the classroom.
   
8. …
   

Pressing on, Ed

Never Effortless

Ugh! Lawn day.

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 1 Timothy 3:1

Literally the first phrase is better as "True is the word" but I have not found a translation which poorly translates the phrase. It is important, however, in that it establishes the veracity of Paul's next topic—it's okay to seek leadership, which is a good work. The qualification list that follows in verses 2-12 weed out the right people (the unqualified) and are a must-be-adhered-to-list.

Often missed in the interpretation of verse 1 is the meaning of "work." Strong's says it's "toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work." Leadership, especially the servant leadership God expects, requires effort.

The many men who've mistakenly missed this point have failed—and usually in the area of servant-hood. A true servant leader is in the position because his desire is to do God's work and serve both Him and others. Serving oneself in leadership misses the point of it and ends in failure.

Aspire to the office for the right reason, then be ready to work.

Pressing on, Ed