D4: The Qualifications (for elder) - 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

D4: The Qualifications (for elder) - 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

1 Timothy 3:1-7

3:1

“Overseer” (and 3:2)

➡Family of words: “overseer,” “elder” (5:17, 19), “pastor.” Ac 20:17, 28 (“elders,” “overseers,” “to shepherd the church

“Fine work”

➡The o ce is “work” or it involves a task. The task of shepherding, primarily; overseeing the flock of God; caring for o ffi toward Christ and Christ-likeness and to help them stay away from sin. That is a “fine” work, or an excellent work. W noble, good. What is more precious to God than the church His Son shed His blood for? Caring for those sheep is a excellent, worthwhile, good work to desire. Strauch, 187.

“Aspires” and “desires”

➡Paul acknowledges that men in the church will experience desire or aspiration for the o ce. What if all that chapter ffi 3:1? Then Paul would be saying that all that matters is desire or aspiration. The church would just have to base the of elders on the basis of desire. But Paul provides 6 more verses to help the church understand what true, HS-given aspiration for the o ce of overseer looks like. The HS will indeed give to men the desire to shepherd the flock, but t ffi wrote through Paul what qualifications to look at in a man that will a rm that the HS indeed “inspired” the man towa ffi o ce of elder. Desire is important. You wouldn’t want a man to shepherd the flock who didn’t really want to. But de ffi everything. Desire must have accompanying it moral character qualification. Desire is tested against and by charac a rmed by character. “Aspires” = to strive for, desire. See 1 Tm 6:10 (context determines goodness or evil of it). “ ffi long for, desire (strong term, context determines goodness or evil of).

➡When you think of the HS making men overseers of the church (Ac 20:28), you shouldn’t be surprised that the desire those men would be strong, passionate, unquenchable.

3:2

“Must be above reproach”

➡The banner or umbrella qualification over all the others. The way to measure this qualification is through the specific one that follows. “Above reproach” = to be free from any o ensive or disgraceful blight of character or conduct, part ff described in 3:2-7. Strauch, 189. An accusation can’t stick to the man. It is not perfection. But the man is exempla the di erence between the elder and the rest of the believers in the body. He is exemplary in the quality of being ab ff reproach. Thabiti, pp 57-58: “It’s critically important for an elder to be above reproach for at least two reasons. First will assume at least two things once he is made an elder: that he is an example to all the sheep in all areas of life. . will receive the benefit of the doubt against uncorroborated allegations of wrongdoing (1 Tm 5:19). Few things are w church than having a man who lacks good character be able to set a bad example while also being shielded by the g judgment that comes with the o ce. Second, it’s critically important because an elder must be held in high esteem ffi character, not for his wealth, popularity, or other worldly things.” The elder is “above criticism” (the way he lives is sim reach of criticism). He is man marred by no disgrace.

➡Who determines if a man is above a reproach? Does the man himself determine it? If he believes he is above repro all that is needed? No. This qualification along with all the others rest in the eyes of the beholders around him. A m believe he is above reproach all day long, but if his wife or children do not agree, it doesn’t matter what he thinks abo ➡God’s design is to work though the perceptions of others to confirm the qualification of a man. What do you think ab being sovereign over the perceptions others have of you?

“The husband of one wife” (see “the husband of one wife” in Titus 1:6

➡First on both lists. This was a problem/concern among the early church. . . The believers came out of a heavy paga sexual immorality was rampant. The elder had to be a man who stood out stark and clear from that in order to be ex the rest of the believers. “One woman man” was Paul’s way of describing that kind of man. The description is about than how many wives he has. The man’s sexual moral life is devoted to, committed to only one woman. That’s just pure man that he is. A single man can and must be this way (he just doesn’t yet know who that one woman is perha when that kind of a one woman man marries - he will be pure in his marriage and will be exemplary for others. He is one-woman-ma in the sense that he is completely satisfied to romance, be emotionally attached to and sexually give one woman - his wife. If the man is not married, he is controlling himself by God’s grace to love some day that one w will be his wife. Gentiles in the first century would have found this qualification repugnant. Even the Jews, too (who easiest terms for divorce around).

➡How cultivate this sexual moral loyalty within? 1.) Feed your heart and min with God’s will for sexual purity and plea context of marriage only to one woman). Mediate on those texts. Embrace wholeheartedly God’s will - don’t tolerate Fight at the level of your desires, passions against lust. Fight at the heart level. Learn to say “no” to your wayward d where our feet step first when straying from moral purity. If we can say “no” here, if an actual temptress stands befor have a better chance of saying “no” then. If we can’t say “no” to our desires, what hope do we possibly have if an ac temptress stands before us? 3.) Put distance between you and sexual enticements outside your marriage. Prov 7. sexual sin! The godly man is a runner! Like Joseph. Not a stroller, stander, meanderer. 5.) Pursue/study your wife mind with her and her love. Satisfy yourself with her love for you, Pr 5:19. Etc.

“Temperate”

➡Some see temperate, prudent and respectable as linked together. Not easily carried away spiritually into error, false trends, sinful behavior. A man well-behaved; not given to excess. He is moderate and watchful so that he doesn’t ju into error. Mental self-control involved. Doctrinal self-control that rules out theological extremes. He is so internally committed that he can’t be easily carried away spiritually speaking into questionable arenas. Self-mastery. How swe you been by faddish authors, trends, movements?

“Prudent” (see “sensible” in Titus 1:8)

➡Self-control; he rules over his impulses rather than being ruled by his impulses. Ti 1:8; 2:2; 25. Watch these impulse life: fleshly/worldly impulses; creaturely impulses; ideological impulses (cleverness theologically or methodologically Stott: “How shall I be able to rule over others if I have not full power and command of myself?” (Francois Rebelais -

th century French satirist). And, Stott: “Leaders are often left for considerable periods unsupervised, so that they have to supe themselves. To be sure, they are still people of flesh and blood, with the same emotions and passions as other hum But the fruit of the Spirit is. . . self-control.”

“Respectable”

➡Out of the 3 terms this one is the most externally measured. Perhaps “respectable” is what others conclude about a temperate and prudent. “Respectable” = having characteristics or qualities that evoke admiration or delight; an expre high regard for another. It probably includes the idea of “well-ordered” living. So a well-ordered, disciplined life (tem self-controlled) is one that evokes respect or high regard in others. What’s the opposite? Disorderly living because t not disciplined, tempered or controlled himself. No one pauses to admire or respect that kind of living.

“Hospitable” (see “hospitable” in Titus 1:8)

➡To take in Christian strangers, not friends. The meaning is rooted in the first century’s spread of the gospel. Persec produced exiles, fugitives, even missionaries. The elder was to gladly receive these who had been scattered becaus persecution. His home is to be a retreat for the fleeing, preaching Christian stranger. Again, the elder is to be exem that the whole church is also to be: Rm 12:13; Hb 13:2; 1 Pt 4:9. The home is an important tool for the elder. Every possesses he uses to share and give away to others so that they may benefit spiritually. The home for the elder is o favorite tools to use that helps him care for others.

“Able to teach”

➡This is a skill, not a character quality. So why is a skill sitting here within a list of character qualities? What does tha about what God thinks about this skill? The place he put it was not over with the list of skills that an elder must have this skill is over here in this list of character qualities? It reveals that God doesn’t want this skill disconnected from go is not enough to have profound biblical knowledge. It is not enough to have tremendous aptitude to impart knowledg teacher must be godly, qualified in character. This is why, I believe, that this is the only qualification that can actually commanded against in Scripture, Js 3:1.

➡To be able to teach is not to become a truth dump. Shepherds must be able to impart the meaning of God’s word to Not all teachers will be qualified shepherds, but all qualified shepherds must be able to bring God’s word to bear on t the sheep in one manner or another.

3:3

“Not addicted to wine” (see “not addicted to wine” in Titus 1:7)

➡“Not alongside wine.” The man next to the wine all the time can’t be an elder. This is a broader category than drunk be alongside wine is not to be a drunkard necessarily, automatically. But it does mean that an elder can’t be known who is always where the booze is. He can’t have a reputation as a drinker. “See the wine?” “Yes - there it is!” “And man.” “Have you seen the elder?” “Find the wine and you’ll find him. . .” The command to the body is what? “Don’t Ep 5:18. But for the elders the standard is higher, tighter. Don’t alcohol associated with you all the time. It doesn’t m abstinence. There is space between “not alongside wine” and abstinence for a qualified man to be. But it requires a degree of temperance, self-control and respectable behavior with it.

➡It is in all 3 lists (deacon). How should we view 1 Tm 5:23? Not as a command to drink socially! But rather in their d something of a medicinal use of alcohol. Again. Much self-control is required.

➡Think carefully about the perceptions others will have concerning an elder’s drinking of alcohol. You can’t control ho might perceive your use of alcohol. Can you imagine another man justifying his ungodly use of alcohol because he s drinking? He may not be able to discern the di erence between the way you use alcohol and the ungodly way he do ff actually equate your measured use of it with his thoughtless way of using it.

“Not pugnacious” (see “not pugnacious” in Titus 1:7)

➡Not a striker, or not one who is ready to settle conflict with violence or physical intimidation. Di cult to imagine ever ffi to such a physical expression like this. But what is the root supporting this violent fruit? What kind of man is willing to physically become aggressive: 1.) A man in conflict, disagreements, sinned against, disregarded, ignored (welcome eldering). 2.) A man who doesn’t biblically deal with conflict, disappointments, anger, etc. Has unconfessed sin reg conflict. 3.) A man overcome with pride. He believes he’s too self-important to be disagreed with or disregarded. 4. is a ticking time bomb. All of this makes the man an unstable cocktail that will explode in violence. You might first he threat from that man. You might then get yelled at by that man. Eventually you may need to duck a swing from that ➡Think carefully on how one expression of physical violence or intimidation renders an elder disqualified. You can be and people will forgive you and still respect you as an elder. You can lack gentleness. . . But physically intimidate o blow at someone and the sheep will never stop guarding themselves when you are around. What do you do after an conflict, disagreement, etc.?

“Gentle”

➡Kind, gracious, mild, fair, tolerant, considerate, forbearing. Our English word carries with it the idea of “softness,” or “tenderness.” But the Greek leans toward fairness, moderateness. “Sweet reasonableness.” One who can reasone Contrast that with a man who operates with strict injustice, or who is unduly rigorous. . .

➡Rather than being strict to dispense “justice” at every moment, the man is to be gentle or generous in his treatment o means having to wait, to allow for multiple possible cases to be considered. . . the situation might not be what it first a be. . . A gentle man will be quick to pardon, willing to endure injustice for a time, to rise above the injustice of the mo measure what is before him carefully.

➡Adjectival form in 2 Corinthians 10:1. What does Paul ask in 10:2? Paul doesn’t want to have to be trigger happy. H want to walk about all the time with his finger on the trigger. Now weigh these other expressions: 10:2 - “Bold with confidence;” 10:3 - “courageous against some;” 10:4 - “war,” “weapons of warfare,” divinely powerful for the destructi fortresses;” 10:5 - “destroying speculations,” “taking every thought captive;” 10:6 - “ready to punish,” etc. But Paul w and he didn’t want to be otherwise. Contrast the man who is marked by severity, who is rigid, exacting. He doesn’t w take the time to question his immediate desire for strict justice. What quenches or chokes out gentleness? Pessimis believing the worst, being jaded, lists of injustices, impatience, bitterness, etc.

“Peaceable”

➡“Uncontentious” (Strauch). This is a man who is not looking to draw lines in the sand everywhere in order to divide b one from another. Rather, he is a man who desires peace between all. He is a man who can be made peace with. elders and especially among the church body, peaceableness doesn’t just automatically happen. That takes great w does automatically happen without anyone even trying? Contention and division. The elder must be one who loves is not quarrelsome. Strauch, p 198. One of the main di erences between the church and the world is that we are to ff peaceable. The world has conflict too, but too easily they are willing to walk away from one another when at war with another. The church must not be that way and elders must lead by example in how to be peaceable with one anothe

“Free from the love of money”

➡If what the man loves is money, then the o ce will only be used to advance his financial gain. Shepherding will be u ffi what he loves - money. Think about all the false teachers who rake in millions from their “ministry.” You can see that threat existed even in Paul’s day. Elders will be making a lot of financial decisions for the church. Again, see the ex the body, Hb 13:5. The elder is to be exemplary in this character issue.

3:4-5

➡Now there is a transition from what he is to what he does in his home. From general, everywhere character qualities to spec household ability. The man is now measured primarily by HOW he provides leadership over his household. This is an argum lesser to the greater. From His own household to God’s household. From his leadership over some to his leadership over m submission of a few to the submission of many.

“One who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity”

➡“Manages” = literally standing before (his household). It is superintending leadership. Two components to this leade management: 1.) Authority, and 2.) Nearness to the household; watchfulness over it. So then, it is not about autho authority’s sake. It is NOT authority absent of watchful, near care. Also, it is not about care absent of authority. The see himself as one with authority AND one who must step near to his family to care for them from that authority. “We aesthetically good authority and care. There is a beauty or attractiveness to his management of his home. His mana e ective and is done in such a way that it is appealing, attractive, engaging. “Splendidly.”

ff ➡What is the evidence that he is managing his household well? “Keeping his children under control with all dignity.” T of a potential elder do need to be observed for how well they respond to dad. But the point is to draw a conclusion a man and his management not the child’s character. “Under control” = in submission, or in a line under someone. Th = the children are not leading dad around, controlling him. It is clear who is in charge in the home and who is not. S is easily identified in the children, and authority in the dad. The children are embracing submission to authority (dad’ ➡How does the man gain their submission? “With all dignity” = modifies HIM not the children. What do you look for fro children? Submission, being under control. What do you look for from the man? Dignity in the way he gains their su Submission can be gained in an undignified way (intimidation, anger, manipulation, the silent treatment, etc.). How d gain the submission of His followers? Mt 11:28-30; Ep 5:22 . There is no doubt who is in authority and who is in su ff when it comes to Jesus and His followers.

“But if a man does not know how to. . . how will he take care of the church of God?”

➡Again, the argument is from the lesser to the greater with this qualification.

➡Some questions to consider: Do I embrace authority in my home? Am I near enough to my family to see and know need to be cared for from my position of authority? When I gain submission from my children, do I do it with dignity? observers of my authority in my home describe it as appealing, engaging, attractive, dignified?

3:6

“Not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”

➡“New convert” = a beginner in the faith, a recent convert to Christ (Strauch, p. 200). What is the potential temptation other elders or the church to make a new convert an elder? There may be a perceived influence that the new conve (think on a sports figure or celebrity who comes to faith - everyone thinks they have almost magical powers for the go their passion and zeal for all thing Bible, God and Jesus are attractive.

➡What does Paul say the new convert is especially vulnerable to? “Conceit” = pride, thinking more highly of himself th ought. To come in as one so new to Christ yet be put up so high so quickly in the church is not a helpful thing for a y believer. What is the terrible, potential outcome for that new convert if he becomes arrogant as an elder? “Fall into t condemnation incurred by the devil.” The devil fell because he thought too highly of himself. And every other fall du that man experiences reflects the fall of Satan in it. How sad that the fall of Satan in pride would be reflected by an e young in the faith.

3:7

“He must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare o devil.”

➡Why do outsiders (unbelievers) matter? Because that is where the gospel is going. An elder whose ungodly behavio helped harden an unbeliever outside the church to the gospel is unacceptable. Think about who spends more time w elder each week. Unbelieving co-workers or the church family? What a man truly is will come out there more than a place. So God has intended to let there be an avenue of measurement into the elder from unbelievers around him. devil is brought up. Imagine an elder being known out in the world as a cheat, liar, a flirt. The church has a blight on because of such a man. That man fell into the reproach and snare/trap of the devil. The devil is setting traps out in t men so that they might disqualify themselves from leading the church.

➡If there is an accusation against an elder from someone outside the church, the elders must carefully discern what th accusation is. Jesus had many accusations again Him from unbelievers too, though He was righteous.

Titus 1:5-9

1:5

➡Paul has been released from his first Roman imprisonment, after Ac 28 (the real Acts 29). He likely traveled with Titus and T Rome toward Ephesus. They stopped in Crete and labored together for a bit. Paul and Timothy moved on from Crete to Eph Titus behind in Crete. Paul eventually left Timothy in Ephesus and departed for Macedonia, 1 Tm 1:3. He then made his wa where he hopes to meet with Titus again before winter is over, Ti 3:12. He wrote Titus while moving from Macedonia to Nico

“For this reason I left you in Crete”

➡“I left you. . .” = to be left for an assignment. Evidently, there was less than a year or perhaps only months left for Tit out his responsibilities in Crete. Why was he left behind in Crete? “As I directed you” = Paul gave him directions, ord

Paul writes is nothing new for Titus. Titus has already been laboring according to Paul’s directive. But now it is in w well. Specifically the instruction was:

“Set in order what remains”

➡A correction or a setting straight was needed. This reveals that when they all came to Crete, they found the churche cities all is some degree of disorder; in need of correction. What needs to be set in order? “The remaining things” = that are falling short, the things that are lacking. Plural = many. From one city to the next across the island of Crete, churches!!! But from one city to the next the churches are falling short or lacking to the degree that they are not well not set straight yet. Titus was left behind by Paul to end the falling short, lacking things season for the churches. ➡This letter to Titus includes, addresses those things. Example: in Ti 2 the way the household unit was living, behavi functioning was dishonoring the word of God, 2:5; giving the watching world reason to say bad things about them, 2: needed to be changed so that “the doctrine of God our Savior could be adorned in every respect,” 2:10.

“Appoint elders in every city as I directed you” (see “overseer” in Titus 1:7)

➡“As I directed you” = emphatic position, with “I myself”. Sounds like they anticipated there might be some resistance busy on the work Paul left him to do. But now if there was any resistance to Titus’ work, he could show the church th the apostle authorizing him to labor as he has been doing. What does this reveal about Paul? Paul allowed another continue to build on his foundation. Paul didn’t have to be the one to do everything. Here’s the great missions fronti pioneer who was eager to take the gospel where no man had yet been, equally concerned for the church behind the wake. Balanced view of Paul.

➡And what was the primary, fundamental work to be done first? When he thinks of all the “undone things” in the churc the lack of qualified shepherds in the church. Don’t think of shepherds at the top of the list like it is the first of many e weighted items, or concerns. Think of the need for qualified shepherds as the need through which the other needs h best chance of being met. If the church needs sound doctrine (and it does) and Paul or Titus gave them that, to who the stewardship of that doctrine be given to? But if you raise qualified shepherds, you now have the steward of that doctrine in place. You just gave sound doctrine its best chance to take deep, abiding root in the church because qua will steward it well in the body.

➡“Appoint elders” = to put elders in charge. “Elder” originally meant older men. But by this time it had become the title a leader regardless of age. Timothy is an example. Calvin makes this point strongly (not based on age). ➡“City by city” = how many churches were to exist without appointed, qualified men? Not one.

➡What “appoint” does not mean = that Titus alone did all the selection and appointing. Why would Paul delegate such that didn’t involve and train the entire church how to appoint future elders? What would they do after winter when Tit leaves?

➡An implication to consider: Paul’s view was that a church without qualified elders was a church that was not yet set s not yet in order. Church planting needs to keep this in view.

1:6

“If any man is above reproach” (see “above reproach” in Titus 1:7)

➡Very similar in meaning to the word in 1 Timothy 3:2. “Unaccused,” that is, one whose character or conduct is free fr damaging moral or spiritual accusations.

“The husband of one wife” (see “the husband of one wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2)

“Having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion”

➡Use of the word here translated by the NASB as “believe” = Mt 25:33; 1 Co 4:17; 10:13; 1 Tm 1:15. In the NT, the w overwhelmingly as “faithful.” It can also be translate as “believe.” The word’s presence itself does not demand “belie measurement here is very much like the one in 1 Tm 3 for the children described there. In 1 Tm 3, the children are n as “believers” or not, but are described by their conduct under their father’s leadership. This word “faithful” fits very m same idea in Titus 1:6. What is in view here is NOT the child’s status as a believer or not, but how the child is living father’s spiritual leadership. The emphasis is on the e ect of the man’s leadership on his children. That is what the ff is after. The child’s faithfulness under his father’s leadership says something about the man’s leadership character, the child’s salvation.

➡How can we know that this qualification is measuring the behavior of the child under the father’s leadership and not t salvation of the child? As we have already said, “faithful” points in that direction and that is a legitimate translation of But notice also what follows the word “faithful.” Paul expands on what he means by faithful in the words that follow. negatives: 1.) “Dissipation” = not a description of the faith of the child, but of the behavior of the child. The child doe the accusation of dissipation, or wasteful, reckless, extravagant living; the child is impervious to restraint. Boundless debauchery. This is a description that requires from the child some level of maturity - probably an older child than th mentioned in 1 Tm 3. 2.) “Rebellion” = refusal to be subject to authority; refuses to submit to parental authority. Per unruliness. Put both of these words together and you have the description of a wild, uncontrolled lifestyle. How old a view? One who is still probably in the home in the sense that Paul says “Has children. . .” That doesn’t mean his wif to them and so he has children. It means he still has them in his possession, perhaps under his roof. But they are p than the children of 1 Tm 3, because the behavior described here in Titus 1 requires a level of maturity to rebel in tha ➡How does a young child become this older, rebellious child? 1.) Dad didn’t manage his child well when he was youn 2.) Dad didn’t set self-control for his child as a goal when the child was younger. 3.) Dad restrained the child very li the child lacked inward ability to restrain himself (“daddy control” when “self control” failed). 4.) Dad allowed the chil a low view of God-given authority in the home. 5.) There was either no discipline or meaningless discipline (ine ect ff discipline) when it was carried out.

1:7

“The overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward”

➡“House manager” = one who manages, administrates; he is a trustee of someone else’s household. He acts on beha owner, not according to his own will. He is accountable to, responsible to another for what he was entrusted with (St 231). He is not the “church’s steward.” He is not the “elders’ steward.” But he is “God’s steward.”

“Not self-willed”

➡Self-assertive, arrogant, self-pleasing; wants his own way. Always used in a bad way both in and outside the NT. U strong adjective. 2 Pt 2:10 only other NT usage. The self-willed man is unable to value the interests, opinions, and p of others. He is a stubborn man who is unwilling to consider that which comes up against his own will. What do you others oppose your will? That’s when you discover how self-willed you are.

“Not quick-tempered”

➡What a contrast a quick-tempered man is to God who is described repeatedly in Scripture as “slow to anger.” Js 1:2 through the Proverbs to learn about the danger of sinful anger. A short-fused elder, a man easily provoked, will only problems at the elder table where serous testing often takes place.

“Not addicted to wine” (see “not addicted to wine” in 1 Timothy 3:3)

“Not pugnacious” (see “pugnacious” 1 Timothy 3:3)

“Not fond of sordid gain”

➡Being greedy for dishonest financial gain. The same as the deacon qualification in 1 Tm 3:8. This is a man who wan financially from a questionable motive. That kind of man will easily let his o ce of elder contribute to his gain. An e ffi use his o ce as a means of personal profit.

ffi

1:8

“Hospitable” (see “hospitable” 1 Timothy 3:2)

“Loving what is good”

➡This is not a loving what is good that occurs in a vacuum, like you could think on a list of good things without anyone around and think loving thoughts of what is good. Rather it is a loving of good that is expressed toward another - tha benefit from this love of what is good. The “unwearying activity of love”. “Ready to do what is beneficial to others.” S 233. “An elder who loves goodness seeks to do helpful, kind things for people. He will be generous, and kind towar never sink to evil, retaliatory behavior.” Strauch 234. One of the ways that the body becomes a family that loves wh by following the elders who model this for the body.

“Sensible” (see “prudent” in 1 Timothy 3:2)

“Just”

➡“Righteous” or “upright.” The elder lives in accordance with God’s righteous standards as revealed in Scripture for th An elder who is righteous can be counted on to be a principled man and to make fair, just, and righteous decisions fo church. He is to be known for making objective judgments based upon truth and righteousness, not upon passion an Obviously as a believer in Jesus he has declared righteousness over him on the basis of faith alone. And as an obe has practical righteousness through his living. Strauch 234-35.

“Devout”

➡“To be firmly committed to God and His word. It is to be separated unto God and pleasing to God.” Strauch 235. Th evangelicalism will shift and change around him, this man remains unwavering in his commitment to God and to His That man is devout no matter what is going on around him. Strauch 235

“Self-controlled”

➡Do you see how many terms/character qualifications are tied to the man’s ability to discipline or control himself? “Te “prudent/sensible,” and now just plain old “self-control!” A man’s greatest challenge as an elder is the one that come within the man himself. The word for “prudent” or “sensible” has more to do with controlling the desires of the mind, w “self-control” has more to do with controlling the body or actions.

➡Strauch, p. 235 - “An undisciplined man has little resistance to sexual lust, anger, slothfulness, a critical spirit, or othe desires. He is easy prey for the devil. . . Without self-control, a person is exposed to attack and becomes easy prey Self-control is an essential part of the Spirit-controlled life (Ga 5:23).

1:9

“Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sou doctrine and to refute those who contradict”

➡“Holding fast” = to strongly cling to or adhere” (Mac). A man’s grip on Scripture is most clearly revealed when error is march in the body, advancing among the sheep. An elder cannot a ord to be easily peeled o from sound doctrine ff ff ➡Lenski: “This is a fuller statement of what “able to teach” means in 1 Tm 3:2.” The word is described as “faithful” - tr reliable, worthy of confidence and faith. Every elder is to be a man who holds solidly to this word, who knows it, mak whole stay. The point behind the elder’s clinging to the word is so that he may be able to exhort and refute where ne body. The doctrine must be “sound” = healthy. Lenski: Not diseased. Diseased animals are not o ered to the pub ff consumption, they are taken out and buried, but some pulpits today o er such diseased matter. Follow out the impl ff yourself.” If there be any who speak to the contrary, the elder must be able to convict such people. . . by showing co that they are wrong. “To refute” actually means to overthrow them in argument. (Stott) Shepherding as an elder so requires an elder to speak against the error of what a sheep believes or is spreading throughout the body to other sh “But neither of these ministries (exhorting and refuting) will be possible unless the elder maintains his firm hold on the word of the apostles.”

Other considerations:

Exhaustive list? No.

Why the lists not both exactly the same? Each location had its own speci c challenges. . .

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The role of understanding biblical shepherding for being quali ed for elder. . .

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