The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
In my last post on 1 Timothy I said that our lifestyle should match the life we claim to live. If this is true of a Christian how much more important is it for a minister of God to whom many look to for guidance and direction? Such a man is an example to all members of the community, and whether they admit it or not, everyone looks to him and watches how he reacts to certain situations in his life. If he messes up, people are quick to point out his faults and question his beliefs. And when he lives a Godly life before others, people look to him for direction in their lives.
Paul understood the important role such a man of God took on, and he gave a list of qualifications that are helpful for a minister to live by. It is not enough for him to perform all the "duties" that are associated with the position, for he could do these without truly caring for people. But it is important that his life reflects certain spiritual qualifications. There are too many to go into great detail on each one, but they can be grouped into 4 main categories:
- He must be committed in obedience.
- He must lead his family well.
- He must have experience as a Christian, in his walk with Christ.
- He needs the respect of outsiders (the lost world).
Obedience covers his moral integrity and the ability to teach. These characteristics are self-explanatory. Not violent, quarrelsome, or a lover of money, hospitable (to all people), having self-control, and being temperate. These are all characteristics that should be apparent in his life. If he falters from one of these, people will take notice and point it out.
On the family side, how can a man lead a church congregation if he fails to properly lead his family? How he leads his family will reflect his leadership capabilities and show the church how he will lead the congregation. He must be involved in proper leadership in the home along with direction in the ways of God and a discipline that demands respect. If he can lead his family in these ways, then he will also have the ability to lead the church.
Experience is crucial for the minister. One warning that the commentators pointed out was the danger of pride. Paul was concerned that if a new convert was promoted to such a high office in the church, that they would become prideful and fall into satan's trap. Humility is essential in such a role, and there is a greater danger in promoting a new believer. Also, the minister must have an ability and desire to teach others. Without proper instruction himself, how can he properly lead others in God's word. He should consult his mentors and learn from them well, and a new convert would not have had much time to learn all he could first.
Finally, the minister must earn respect from all people. The life that he lives outside the church must match his beliefs so that his witness is not ruined in the eyes of the lost. A good reputation outside the church will help him avoid the snare of the devil. Attacks from satan will continue to bombard the minister, but when he stands his ground and does not falter, the lost world will take notice. They will recognize his stand and notice how his life parallels his beliefs. This is crucial for the minister, but it is also crucial for the Christian. All Christians are being watched.
These qualifications are extremely important for the minister. And that is why Paul specifically mentioned them in this passage. But these are also great ways for all Christians to live by. Everyone should seek to live a life in such a way. We are being watched constantly. Some people are out there just waiting for one of us to slip up and falter in our beliefs. Be careful, and make sure that your lifestyle matches the life that you claim to live in Christ.
Matt
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