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.