LESSON AIM

1. We will be able to describe the biblical qualifications for the church leadership

2. We will understand why it is important to encourage and appreciate the church’s leadership as well as it members.

KEEP IN MIND

“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9).

Paul teaches Timothy the qualifications for the church leadership. The desire to be a bishop or overseer is a noble desire, requiring Christian character and faithfulness in marriage. Those who are spiritual leaders are deserving of double honor, including fair wages.

By way of background, Paul recognized that if the church in Ephesus was to curb the creeping influence of false teachings, it would need capable leadership. That Timothy possessed the qualities necessary for pastoral leadership is without question. Paul’s confidence in Timothy’s ability to lead the church and to command false teachers to desist is evident.

While we do not know the full nature of the false teachings Timothy was instructed to denounce, we are given some clues. It appears that some were opposed to marriage and the eating of certain foods (1 Timothy 4:3). Some taught that the general resurrection of believers had already occurred (2 Timothy 2:18). It is also hinted in 1 Timothy 6:20 that Timothy may have had to contend with some early expressions of Gnosticism.

As a young pastor, Timothy was privileged to have Paul as his mentor. Paul was also fortunate to have Timothy as his associate in the ministry. Paul and Timothy’s relationship models what good leadership and team-spirited ministry is all about: complementing each other’s ministry gifts in the interest of better serving the church.

After encouraging Timothy to preach and teach sound doctrine (`1 Timothy 1:3-4). And remain vigilant in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-8), Paul proceeded to instruct Timothy about the importance of selecting good leaders (1 Timothy 3:1). Paul then outlined the moral qualities, managerial skills, and public reputation necessary for effective leadership in GOD’S church (1 Timothy 3:2-13).

1. PAUL INSTRUCTS (1 Timothy 3:1-2)

Aspirations for leadership in the church should be driven and sustained by a deep commitment to CHRIST and a desire to serve the church’s needs. To assume leadership in the church is to take on a heavy and awesome responsibility. Status seekers, those desiring to have dominion and authority, and others who desire to stand in the limelight are rarely good candidates for church leadership.

After commending the office of bishop, Paul proceeds to outline the personal qualities necessary to be an effective bishop. For contemporary application, it should be noted that these qualities are not limited to the office of bishop. They are applicable to all who would aspire to leadership in the church. All who desire to serve in a church leadership role should possess these qualities.

In view of the presence of false teachers in Ephesus, qualified leaders were critical to the church’s credibility in the community. Seven leadership qualities are identified in verse2, the first of which is an “umbrella” quality beneath which the other six qualities may be subsumed. One who is ”blameless,” for example, will be committed to faithfulness in marriage, “vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, and apt to teach.” If the false teachers were to be effectively confronted and silenced, great teaching by men of blameless character was of critical importance.

The same need exists today. The Christian church serves and ministers amidst cultures of disbelief and a variety of vying voices that compete professionally and competently for people’s allegiance. Therefore, if the church’s voice is to be heard, it needs competent and articulate leadership, and leaders of moral integrity who are “apt to teach” and whose behavior is “blameless.”

2. PAUL EXPLAINS (vv.3-7)

Paul continues to explain the Christian character and qualifications necessary for church leadership. Reading this list of qualifications tempts one to ask, “Who, then, can be a church leader?” Does GOD expect church leaders to be perfect and sinless? The qualifications for church leaders outlined in these verses do not indicate that a leader must be totally without sin, but that he or she must be morally careful and upright. We need leaders who seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness and who are totally committed to “adorn [ing] the doctrine of GOD our SAVIOR in all things” (Titus 2:10).

Those who are morally careful and responsible will also aim to embrace the qualities outlined in verses 3-7. They will be temperate in their use of wine. They will be gentle, yielding, and peaceable.

It is not surprising that Paul would list “not greedy of filthy lucre” as a qualification for leadership. Church leaders are usually the closest to the church’s coffers and financial ledgers. Church members are more likely to grow in the grace of giving when they have confidence in those leaders who handle the distribution of member gifts.

While verses 4 and 5 may sound strange to modern ears, the idea of having one’s “children in subjection with all gravity” was the parental expectation in Paul’s day. The concern here, however, is not discipline in child rearing, but rather discipline in the care and management of one’s own household. Paul reasoned that authentic caring skills are transferable from one’s family setting to the setting of one’s church family. If skills are present in the guidance and care of one’s own family, they will more than likely be operative in the supervision of and care for the church of GOD (v.5).

Paul’s dual concern for “ruling [one’s] own house” (i.e., management) and “taking care of the church” (i.e., caring) is not without significance. Leaders who rule without care are as inadequate as those who care without orderly rule. Church leaders are more likely to be respected, appreciated, and obeyed when they rule with care and care with orderly rule. Authority and the capacity to demonstrate personal care are the two necessary sides of the leadership coin. Blessed are they who rule with care and care with authority

Paul continues in verses 6 and 7 to focus on the moral qualities necessary for church leadership. Paul was most cautious about placing new converts in positions of leadership. The concern here was to give sufficient time for the community of faith to become aware of potential character flaws, such as pride or conceit. A more contemporary concern may be spousal abuse, pedophilia, or some other form of domestic violence. Character flaws are usually not known or discovered with conversion. Paul encourages Timothy to let those who aspire to leadership first prove themselves.

The concern that leaders should have a good report is expanded in verse 7 to include the report of those outside the community of faith. To be “blameless” (v.2) in the eyes of one’s believing peers is important, but it is equally important to be blameless in the eyes of the larger unbelieving community. The church’s witness is always hampered when one of its leaders “fall[s] into reproach and the snare of the devil” (v.7). While the church’s membership may be forgiving and restorative, a credibility gap is created in the eyes of the unbelieving world. “Why,” they ask, “should I hook up with the church when its leaders act like that?

3. PAUL DESCRIBES (vv.8-13)

Paul’s counsel to Timothy is placed in the context of the needs and organizational structure of the church in Ephesus. If Paul were writing to pastors today, he would probably use a more generic term than “bishop” or “deacon.” Today’s church leadership includes deacons, bishops, elders, Sunday School teachers, ministers of music, auxiliary chairpersons, council members, official board members, and more-—all of whom should be “blameless” with “a good report of them which are without” (vv.2, 7). The lasting importance of Paul’s instructions to Timothy is that all church leaders behave and publicly conduct themselves as persons worthy of respect from all persons. The church today would do well to heed Paul’s counsel when appointing church leaders.

While it is true that all Christians should behave according to high moral standards, it is particularly important for the church’s leaders to model godliness. When we realize that the word “deacon” as defined in Greek means “servant,” the qualifications outlined in verses 8-13 could apply to all believers, since we are all called to serve.

4. PAUL DESIRES (5:17-18)

One of the ironies of history is that the church’s honor and material support of those who so faithfully serve it has not always been commendable. Paul contended that those who “rule well” should be “counted worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17). Paul was especially concerned that those “who labor in the word and doctrine” be honored, appropriately rewarded, and paid for their work and service (v.17). The church should adequately compensate “those who labor in the word and doctrine” (5:17).

5. PAUL COUNSELS (v.19)

Just as the church needs to be aware of its obligation to give appropriate accolades and compensation to its leaders, it also needs to avoid destroying its leaders through false accusations. False reports impede the work of the church and the ministry of good leaders. At a time when false teachers were seeking to undermine the work of good leaders such as Timothy, Paul counseled the church to dismiss all accusations if they could not be confirmed by multiple and credible witnesses.

The rise and fall of church leaders in every age and the cost of their fall (to church, as well as to themselves) is a warning for all churchmen and churchwomen to hold “the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9).

In New Testament language, the word “mystery” indicates truth revealed. It is a reference to the Gospel, “the secret of salvation through JESUS CHRIST, which is revealed by the HOLY SPIRIT to all who will believe.” While some have shipwrecked their faith (1 Timothy 1:19) and others have a “conscience seared with a hot iron,” Paul pleads with Christians in every age to practice the Gospel they have been called to teach and preach. All believers, and particularly church leaders, are to behave in ways that are reflective of a “pure conscience”—a conscience that does not condemn one of sin.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

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