Pastor-Teacher Series: 1 Timothy 3:2-The First Seven Qualifications Required for the Man with the Gift of Pastor-Teacher to Assume the Office of Overseer

1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. (NASB95)

“An overseer, then, must be above reproach” is composed of the inferential conjunction oun (οὖν), “then” and the accusative masculine singular form of the noun episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος), “an overseer” and the third person singular present active indicative form of the verb dei (δεῖ), “must” and the and the present active infinitive form of the verb eimi (εἰμί), “be” and the accusative masculine singular form of the adjective anepilemptos (ἀνεπίλημπτος), “above reproach.”

The inferential conjunction oun is introducing a statement that is the result of an inference from Paul’s statement in verse 1, which taught that if any man aspires to the office of overseer, then he desires a noble occupation.

Now, in 1 Timothy 3:2, the conjunction ounintroduces a statement that draws an inference from verse 1, which affirms the importance of the office of overseer to the body of Christ.

Therefore, Paul is saying with this word that based upon the importance of the office of overseer to the body of Christ, the man who aspires to this office must possess meet certain qualifications in order to hold this office.

So the conjunction oun in verse 2 emphasizes the connection between the list of qualifications in verses 2-7 with the office.

These qualifications are commensurate with the importance of the office.

Since the office is so important to the spiritual growth and protection of the flock of God, it demands a particular type of Christian man.

Namely it demands a man whose lifestyle generally speaking is such that no one can legitimately accuse him (and make it stick) of conduct that is not befitting a mature believer.

These characteristics must stand out as prominent and consistent in the man.

They must be clearly distinguishable, even though there is room and times that he will fall short.

He must be spiritually mature and an example of Christ-like character.

Therefore, because of the stature and importance of the office, the man who aspires to the office of overseer must possess certain qualities that characterize a mature believer.

The verb dei “denotes compulsion in the sense of what is necessary or one must do.” (Knight, page 155)

The term expresses necessity that the man who aspires to the office of overseer possess certain characteristics in order for him to function in the office.

It denotes an absolute must indicating that “it is absolutely imperative” that the man who aspires to the office of overseer possess certain characteristics which are listed in verses 2-7.

The verb eimi means “to be” in the sense of possessing a particular characteristic.

It indicates that it is absolutely imperative that the man who aspires to the office of overseer “possess the characteristics of being” beyond reproach, the husband, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money, one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity, not a new convert, having a good reputation with those outside the church.

The adjective anepilemptos is a summary statement that means “irreproachable character.”

The term refers to a general assessment of a man’s maturity and reputation (Swindoll, page 56).

It describes a person who “afford nothing that an adversary could use as the basis for an accusation, one against whom it is impossible to bring any charge of wrong doing such as could stand impartial examination, one who cannot be laid hold of, irreproachable.”

The man who aspires to the office of overseer must not afford anything that an adversary could use as the basis for an accusation.

It must be impossible to bring any charge of wrongdoing that could withstand impartial examination.

The word does not imply sinless perfection on the part of the man who aspires to the gift of pastor-teacher.

The term refers to a man who has integrity of character so that no one can lay hold upon anything in his life, which would be of such a nature as to cast reproach upon the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Husband of one wife” indicates that the man who aspires to the office of overseer must be a one woman man and not a polygamist.

This phrase does not mean that if a man is not married he cannot assume this office since Paul and Timothy were both unmarried.

So the expression does not emphasize the man’s marital status but rather his character.

Monogamy is God’s requirement for the pastor-teacher.

Polygamy is not condoned in the Word of God.

Polygamy, easy divorce and remarriage were prevalent in the ancient world.

The fact that Paul has to list polygamy as a requirement reflects the social condition in the Roman Empire.

This does not imply that he cannot remarry as a widower.

The apostle Paul is addressing bigamy and polygamy here.

The man who aspires to the office of overseer must be a one-woman man.

This phrase speaks of a life-long commitment to one woman.

This expression “husband of one wife” emphasizes the avoidance of any sexual immorality on the part of the overseer.

It denotes that if he is married he must be faithful to his wife.

“Temperate” is the noun nephalios(νηφάλιος), which means “to be free from spiritual drunkenness, free from excess, passion, rashness, and confusion, to be level headed, to be clear and rational in one’s thinking, to be sober in one’s thinking, to be self-possessed under all circumstances, to be self-controlled.”

“Prudent” is the adjective sophron (σώφρων), which pertains to being sensible and moderate in one’s behavior (Louw and Nida, 88.94).

It refers to “having a sound or healthy mind; as having ability to curb desires and impulses so as to produce a measured and orderly life.” (ANLEX, page 373)

The term refers to one who is of sound mind, one who has control over their emotions and desires and is wise from application of the Word of God.

It denotes one who uses discretion, and has self-control, and discipline, thus one who is wise because one is under the influence of the Spirit.

This word is used with respect to the relationship between the pastor and himself.

“Respectable” is the adjective kosmios(κόσμιος), which indicates that the pastor must be a man who fulfills his duties incumbent on his place and order (operates in his spiritual gift) as a member of the royal family of God.

It speaks of the pastor as one who must be disciplined through enforced and genuine humility resulting from right priorities in life, thus one who has virtue.

This word is used with respect to the relationship between the pastor and himself as well as himself.

“Hospitable” is the adjective philoxenos(φιλόξενος), which means “hospitable towards foreigners, strangers and all members of the royal family of God without expectation of reward.”

The man possessing the spiritual of pastor-teacher must be willing to open his home to strangers and foreigners and other displaced members of the body of Christ.

During the first and second centuries, many members of the royal family of God were displaced from their homes because of various persecutions in the Roman Empire.

Hospitality was to be shown to these individuals.

Our Lord spoke of hospitality towards strangers and in particular toward Jewish believers during the Tribulation in Matthew 25:35.

The apostle Paul mentions it in Romans 12:13 as a function of the royal family honor code.

The writer of Hebrews 13:2 commands members of the royal family of God to be philoxenia, “hospitable.”

By doing so, some believers such as Lot and Abraham entertained the angels.

Abraham entertained the pre-incarnate Christ in Genesis 18:1-22 and Lot entertained only the two angels in Genesis 19:1.

“Able to Teach” indicates that only those with spiritual gift of pastor-teacher can hold the office of overseer because the word denotes one who is skillful in teaching, which only those with the gift of teaching can fulfill.

Commenting on this word in 1 Timothy 3:2, Vine writes that this word denotes “not merely a readiness to teach is implied, but the spiritual power to do so as the outcome of prayerful meditation in the Word of God and the practical application of its truth to oneself.” (Page 51).

Thus, overseers were supposed to possess the gift of teaching so that they could be skillful in teaching others.