What Kind of Elders Do We Need? (1 Tim 3:1-7)

What kind of elders do we need? Paul tells us 6 things:

1. Elders who want the work, not just the status of being an elder.
2. Elders who are godly men, for holiness is God's qualification for an elder.
3. Elders who are able to teach--to be able to convey God's truth to disciples.
4. Elders with godly homes and families.
5. Elders who are spiritually mature.
6. Elders whose moral reputation is good with local non-Christians.

I. Elders who want the work, not just the status of being an elder (1 Tim 3:1)
We need elders who desire with all their hearts to do the work of the eldership, not just those who want to be called elder. The work of the eldership is pastoral work. Paul says that it is a wonderful work to which to aspire (1). Elders long to help those who are struggling spiritually. They long to establish people who are growing spiritually. His engagement is pastoral work, not business. They don't simply desire to be able to make decisions. They long for spiritual ministry.
Paul means the same thing when he uses the word "elder" (Tit 1:5), "overseer" (Tit 1:7; 1 Tim 3:1), "bishop." Elder is the title. Bishop is the job. Elder is the title. Bishop is the function. A bishop is an overseer, a shepherd, a pastor, an elder. Elders are to be good pastors. Pastors/elders must be blameless (Tit 1:6-7) and above reproach (1 Tim 3:2).

II. Elders who are godly men, for holiness is God's qualification for an elder (1 Tim 3:2-3)
The only qualifications that Paul gives for the office of elder are moral qualifications (1 Tim 3:2-3). The only requirements are character requirements. Paul wants to see godly men who have a desire to be holy, a desire to be like Christ, in the office of elder. Elders minister from a base of godliness, of godly character. Paul lays down 11 character qualifications (1 Tim 3:2-3): "Now the overseer is to be

1. above reproach, (free from scandalous sins)
2. faithful to his wife, (strictest of marital fidelity, sexually pure, monogamous)
3. temperate, (sober-minded, opposed to all kinds of excesses)
4. self-controlled, (mastery over his natural reactions)
5. respectable, (his life bears up under public scrutiny)
6. hospitable, (bringing people into their lives/homes, kind)
7. able to teach, (connect with/teach others who are different from him)
8. not given to drunkenness, (free from addiction to alcohol, drugs, stimulants)
9. not violent but gentle, (meek, humble, not hot-tempered or reactionary)
10. not quarrelsome, (pattern of speech not quarrelsome, happy to "loose")
11. not a lover of money." (in control of his material appetites)

III. Elders who are able to teach--to be able to convey God's truth to disciples"Able to teach" is the only gift ability/qualification that Paul lists in the whole list of 11 qualifications that an elder needs to have. Everything else is moral. Everything else has to do with his character. Everything else has to do with God’s grace working certain characters and virtues in him.
Elders are able to convey/explain God’s truth to disciples/seekers--men who know the Bible, love the Bible, know the doctrines of the Bible, love the doctrines of the Bible, and know it well enough to explain it and defend it to others. You want to elect elders who not only want to teach, but they have some ability to convey God’s truth, to explain and defend it.

IV. Elders with godly homes and families (1 Tim 3:4-5)
Paul has already pointed to their marital qualifications (1 Tim 2:2). Now, he points to their leadership in the home. In addition to marital fidelity, they ought to be good managers of their own family. Paul is most concerned how he does at home. He wants to see men involved in public ministry who have demonstrated competency in leading their own family to the throne of grace.

V. Elders who are spiritually mature (1 Tim 3:6)
You need men of spiritual maturity, not a recent convert. This does not necessarily mean that they are chronologically old. Timothy probably was 30 years old. There may be young men who are spiritually mature, who are very able to be elders. You want to elect elders to whose spiritual insight you can confidently submit. You want to be able to respect them and their spiritual oversight.

VI. Elders whose moral reputation is good with local non-Christians (1 Tim 3:7)
Elders ought to have respect in the community amongst non-Christians. Paul expects elders to be respectable not only to those within the church, but also in the estimation of those outside the church. We want men who have a reputation in the community of godly character. Paul wants elders who will enhance and not embarrass the Church’s witness to the watching world.
Reference: Why We Need Elders and Why Kind of Elders We Need, Ligon Duncan, 2002.

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