THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICERS

Memory Verse: I Tim. 3:16 (N.W. 4:1) Lesson: I Tim. 3:1-16

Proper behavior in the house of God is important. v. 15.

This is brought about when the officers of the Church are qualified and functioning as set forth in this chapter.

I. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BISHOPS. v. 1-7

A. The Office of a Bishop. v. 1 1. It is a "good work. " Affords opportunity to do good. 2. It is a "good work." It is not a loafers job. 3. It is a desirable office therefore. 4. Those who fill this office are divinely chosen. See Acts 9:15; 13:2; Luke 6:13; and Jer. 1:5. 5. It is the same office as an elder in the church. See Acts 20:1718; and Titus 1:5-9, where the names are used interchangeably. Bishops, Elders, and Pastors are all the same office and are equal, for there are no grades or levels in the ministry. 6. They are God's gift to the Church. Eph. 4:11, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; arid some, pastors and teachers. 7. They are the overseers of the Church. I Pet. 5:1-3; Acts 20:17, 28, And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

B. His Personal Life. v. 2-3 1. He must be "blameless," meaning above reproach . v.2. See 5:7; and 6:14. 2. The "husband of one wife" excludes some. v. 2 a. This excludes the celibacy of the Roman Catholic priests. It does not exclude a single man from serving. b. This excludes those who divorce and remarry. This could not refer to polygamy, since no man who was married to more than one woman at one time would even be allowed to be a member of the Church. c. This excludes a woman for she cannot be a husband. 3. "Vigilant" is elsewhere translated "sober". Donnegan's lexicon renders,: "to live abstemiously, to abstain, from wine ." 4. "Sober)' is elsewhere translated "temperate" and "discreet. Thayer says, "of sound mind, sane in one's senses. Curbing one's desire and impulses, self controlled, temperate. " 5. "Good behavior" means orderly and modest. v. 2 6. "Given to hospitality. " v. 2. Kindness and generosity is in view. 7. "Apt to teach" is the result of being apt to learn. v. 2 8. "Not given to wine" according to William Patton means "literally, not at, by, near, or with wine." v. 3. Note again vigilant and sober above. 9. "Striker" refers to violence, or being pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome. v. 3 10. "Not greedy of filthy lucre." v. 3. Not greedy for money 11. "Patient, not a brawler." v. 3. Vine says, "probably has the secondary sense, of the effects of wine-bibbing. " 12. "Not covetous" meaning not a lover of money, popularity, fame, and a large ministry.

C. His Paternal Life. v. 4-5 1. He must rule or control his own house. v. 4-5 2. He must control his children. v. 5 (Those in his house.) 3. He is to take care of the house of God. v. 5

D. His Public Life . v . 6-7 1. He cannot be a novice. v. 6. Note one that is newly planted, but one that has had time to grow spiritually and therefore immature. 2. He must have a good report outside the Church. v. 7. This testimony is important to his success and can only be if he is honest and pure in his life at all times. Any disregard of v. 6-7 will give weapons to the devil. He should pay his bills and be honest. Col. 4:5; I Thess. 4:12

II. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR DEACONS. v. 8-13

Deacon means servant and is so translated a number of times. No where is it even hinted that the deacons are to run the Church or control the Pastor.

A. His Personal Life. v. 8 1. He is to be serious and is not to be double-tongued. Not to be a gossiper or talebearer. Not saying one thing in one place and something else somewhere else. 2. He is not to be given to much wine. See comments on v. 3 above. "To argue that, forbidding much wine, Paul approves of the use of some wine, and of any and every sort, is to adopt an interpretation dangerous and wholly inconsistent with common usage." -- William Patton. 3. Not greedy of filthy lucre. Greed and covetousness not allowed.

B. His Spiritual Life. v. 9-10 1. He must be sound in his spiritual experience and doctrine. They are to understand doctrine and obey it. 2. He must prove himself before becoming a deacon. v. 10

C. His Paternal Life. v. 11-12 1. Their wives must meet these qualifications. v. 11 2. He cannot be divorced and remarried. v. 12 3. He must control his children and household. v. 12

D. His Practical Rewarding Life. v. 13 1. Faithful deacons earn a good degree of honor. 2. They must use the office, not just fill it. 3. They also have boldness in the faith.

III. THE CHURCH AND HER LORD. v. 14-16

A. Right Behavior In This Divine Institution. v. 14-15 It is important because: 1. It is the house of God. It is an household or family and must be fed. A church does not grow by addition, but by nutrition. Acts 20:28; Matt. 4:4; I Cor. 3:1-2; Heb. 5:12-14; Psa. 109:103 2. It is the church of God. 3. It is the pillar and ground of the truth. The church is built upon Jesus Christ the truth. John 14:6; I Cor. 3:9-15. 4. It is also to display the truth of the word. Phil. 2:16 5. Proper behaviour in the house of God is a must, and the pastor and other officers must see that all do so.

B. The Great Mystery Of His Manifestation. v. 16 1. God (Christ) was manifest in the flesh. Most new perversions of the Bible leave "God" out of this verse. This makes Jesus Christ just a man. 2. He was declared righteous in the Spirit. 3. He was seen of angels. 4. He was preached unto the Gentiles. 5. He was believed on in the world. 6. He was received up into glory. How important for Pastors and Deacons to be highly qualified, if they are to serve such a great Lord in such a great house!

By E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What are the requirements for a bishop?

2. What is the meaning of bishop?

3. Compare bishops, elders, and pastors.

4. Why should he not be a new convert?

5. What does this chapter teach about wine?

6. What is the meaning or deacon?

7. What are the requirements of deacons?

8. What are the requirements for the deacon's wife?

9. What is the reward of deacons?

10. Why did Paul write to Timothy?

11. What is the mystery of godliness?

12. Give the three-fold description of the church in v. 15.

Back To: I Timothy 1:1-20 | I Timothy 2:1-15 | I Timothy 3:1-16

I Timothy 4:1-16 I Timothy 5:1-25 | 1 Timothy 6:1-21 | 2 Timothy 1:1-18

2 Timothy 2:1-26II Timothy 3:1-17 | II Timothy 4:1-22 | Titus 1:1-16

Titus 2:1-15 | Titus 3:1-15 Philemon 1-25