2. The Proven Character of an Overseer
1 Timothy 3:2-7
Titus 1:6-9

3. Traditional Approach to Elders
Combine the two lists from Timothy and Titus into a single checklist
“Disqualify” a man for a single case of a violation of a “qualification”
Gravitate toward the “quantifiable” qualifications: number of wives and children immersed in water
Avoid judgments that are “too personal” (unless we’re vindictive)

4. Qualities vs. Qualifications
Emphasizes moral character and quality, the spiritual depth of one’s total life
vs. a single instance of quick-temper, for example
Emphasizes the proven character necessary to “qualify” him to do his work: supervising spiritual growth
vs. concern for irrelevant requirements

5. Qualities vs. Qualifications
Recognizes the possible existence of efforts at reproach, but focuses on the man being above such reproach
vs. suspicion of a man over any objection raised by the most unspiritual and weak member of the congregation
Recognizes the proper context and meaning of Timothy and Titus
vs. a man-made legalistic checklist that exists outside of any biblical context

6. The “Character” of the Lists:
Paul uses moral, ethical terms more common among pagans than in NT
corresponds to his concern for one’s reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7)
The terms are conceptual, not technical or concrete
ideas are important, not specific terms
The character required is not substantially different from other Christians

7. The “Character” of the Lists:
neither list exhaustive:
what about a dishonest murderer?
lists not identical in content:
15 character traits in each list
5 identical
5 synonymous
5 different
lists are identical in character

8. 1 Timothy 3:2-7 Titus 1:6-9 Identical having good report Similar
Different
having good report
not a new convert
respectable
gentle
uncontentious
above reproach
able to teach
not a lover of money
having children…
temperate
man of one woman
sensible
hospitable
not a drunkard
not a fighter
blameless
able to exhort
not materialistic
faithful children
self-disciplined
man of one woman
sensible
hospitable
not a drunkard
not a fighter
not self-willed
not quick-tempered
lover of good
just
devout
1 Timothy 3:2-7
Titus 1:6-9

9. The “Character” of the Lists:
The two lists are interchangeable
if Timothy had used Titus’s list, he would still have chosen the same man
if Titus had used Timothy’s list, he would still have chosen the same man
Each list emphasizes the one and only “qualification”: above reproach
Emphasized in both Timothy and Titus by two sentences

10. A Word of Caution:
“above reproach” is a relative term that needs further definition
are we left to define “above reproach,” or does God define it for us?
Many have advocated a “single qualification” concept in order to soften Paul’s directions
a single, childless man, for example, might be thought “above reproach” by some

11. A Word of Caution: Paul defines for us what he means
the items he specifies are essential components of being “above reproach”
e.g., he affirms that a man who has not managed a family cannot know how to manage the family of God (1 Timothy 3:5)
Paul is not only concerned with character, but “proven character”
tested, developed, demonstrated

12. Timothy’s Two Sentences (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
2 Therefore it is necessary for the overseer to be above reproach: a one-woman man, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not a fighter, but gentle, uncontentious, unmaterialistic, 4 presiding over his own household well - having his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7Therefore, it is necessary [for the overseer] to have a good reputation with those outside, lest he fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.

13. Titus’s Two Sentences (Titus 1:6-9)
6 …if anyone is blameless: a one-woman man, having faithful children who are not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
7 For it is necessary for the overseer to be blameless as God’s household steward: not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy, 8 but hospitable, loving good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

14. Elder Issues in Context: The “Qualifications”

15. Remember
Context and main point of both Timothy and Titus: “above reproach”
The two lists emphasize this trait
not exhaustive
not identical or synonymous in detail
interchangeable; identical in character
The two texts emphasize this trait by means of two sentences in each case

16. Remember Paul explains the essential components for “above reproach”
Not left to define it for ourselves
Not optional traits for an overseer
Focuses on proven character that is tested, developed, and demonstrated
Provides the context within which interpretive decisions must be made
an objective guideline that helps us to avoid subjective interpretations

17. Two Unavoidable Elder Issues:
“Husband of one wife”?
Does the elder have to be married? What if his wife dies?
Can an elder be remarried?
“Faithful children”?
As Christians or obedient to parents?
Must each child be a faithful Christian?
Does this require more than one child?

18. Two Absolute Guidelines:
Each quality must be judged very personally for “proven character”
The “proving ground” (1 Timothy 3:10) for such character is the physical home
1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6-7
the “elders” are the fathers in God’s spiritual family of the local church
a man’s children know most truly the real man that their father is

19. Elder Issues in Context:
“Husband of one wife”
Is this intended to require marriage?
If so, must the marriage be current (i.e., an elder must resign when widowed)?
Is this intended to forbid polygamy?
Is this intended to forbid adultery? or sexual promiscuity?
Does this forbid remarriage after a spouse’s death or a scriptural divorce?

20. Elder Issues in Context:
“Husband of one wife”
lit. “one woman man”; only occurs in NT (and later Christian interpreters)
four different views presented from ancient times (not mutually exclusive)
a requirement to be married
a prohibition against remarriage
a prohibition against polygamy
a requirement of sexual fidelity

21. Elder Issues in Context:
“Husband of one wife”
at the least, this phrase does not require that the overseer be married concurrently during his overseership
that is, a widowed elder would not necessarily be required to resign
cf. “one-man woman” widow (1 Timothy 5:9)
why do we not require elders to resign once their children are no longer under their authority (1 Timothy 3:4)

22. Elder Issues in Context:
“Husband of one wife”
the real test: how does one’s interpretation of this phrase fit into the context of “proven character”?
are we to conclude that the elder becomes a moral degenerate overnight or incapable of spiritual guidance once his wife dies?
of course, if resignation is what the scriptures required we would accept it as the wisdom of God, but this is the point to be proved…

23. Elder Issues in Context:
“Husband of one wife”: meaning?
it requires a marriage sufficient to provide the experience required by Timothy 3:5
it forbids polygamy & requires marital fidelity in keeping with God’s will
polyandry/polygamy not the problem (1 Timothy 5:9)
but does it forbid remarriage?
a judgment call for each local church
if God approves remarriage (1 Cor. 7:39; Romans 7:1-3), can it be reproachable?

24. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”
Faithful to the father or faithful to God (i.e., a believer)?
A plurality or a single child?
The problem of one child out of many who never becomes a Christian or who apostatizes?
If every child must be a Christian, what of an elder who begets another child while an elder?

25. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”
how does one’s treatment of this topic fit into the context of “proven character”?
How does the number of children affect being “above reproach”?
How does begetting a child later in life nullify being “above reproach”?
a child’s faithfulness or unfaithfulness may reflect upon the father

26. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”: context?
immediate context “not accused of dissipation or rebellion” (Titus 1:6) suggests obedience toward one’s father
parallel context “under subjection with all dignity” (1 Timothy 3:4-5) suggests obedience toward one’s father
moot point if the father is teaching them to follow Christ and a sufficient time for testing has passed

27. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”: meaning?
Word family for “faith” (pi,stij pistis), occurs 562x in NT, overwhelmingly refers to faith in Christ
Adj. “faithful” (pisto,j pistos), 67x in NT, overwhelmingly means “trustworthy” in the fulfillment of some responsibility
Substantive usage of this adjective in every clear case (13x) always means “believer” in reference to faith in Christ

28. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”: a parallel
Titus 1:6 – “having faithful children [obedient]”
1 Timothy 3:4 – “children in submission [obedient]”
The usage in Titus 1:6 is apparently substantive (essential – the real nature of the thing) and, therefore, refers to children who are “believers”

29. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”: what %?
Must all be Christians?
Must all “of age” be Christians?
Must all “at home” be Christians?
What if one never obeys the gospel? or if one falls away many years later?
The issue should be closely judged as with each of the other qualities: not with absolutism, but wisdom

30. Elder Issues in Context:
Each case must be decided by each congregation for itself, regarding what is reproachable
Do not automatically consider a man qualified in this regard because all of his children are faithful Christians
what if his wife were solely responsible?
Do not automatically consider a man disqualified because one is not faithful
may be extenuating circumstances

31. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”: a plurality?
Not in keeping with English usage
“Parents with children entering first grade must pre-register their children by August 1.”
“Do you have any children?”
“We are unable to have children.”

32. Elder Issues in Context:
“Faithful children”: a plurality?
Not in keeping with Greek usage
Rachel bore no children (Genesis 30:1)
Teach your children (Deuteronomy 11:19; Colossians 3:21; cf. Ephesians 6:4)
Died without children (Matthew 22:24; Luke 20:31; 1 Chronicles 2:30, 32)
Parents for children (2 Corinthians 12:14)
A widow with children (1 Timothy 5:4)