Session Devotional Titus 1:6

A. The Character of an Elder: if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination (6).

Above Reproach

This denotes the idea of being blameless in character in the Pastoral Epistles. Twice in Titus 1:6-7 regarding elders and once in 1 Timothy 3:10 regarding deacons. Same word is used in two other places in Paul to denote character of a particular religious nature (1 Corinthians 1:8 and Colossians 1:22) at the final judgment (TDNT Vol. 1 pg. 356).

For the Christian this would not just refer to character in the general sense that may even be exhibited in unbelievers. But more specifically it would be character that is a reflection of the work of God in the believer through the gospel.

Husband of One Wife

This does not necessarily refer to a man who has never been divorced but probably referring to a man who does not practice polygamy. A man may be divorced for biblical reasons due to marital unfaithfulness (Matthew 5:32; 19:9) on the part of a former spouse but that would not disqualify him from serving in the office of elder or deacon. Each case and set of circumstances must be examined individually but a husband who is a one woman man is what Paul is referring to.

Children are Believers

This is most probable making reference to the children in a man’s household and not the grown adult children living outside of his own home. The children are not to be open to the charge of “debauchery or insubordination.” Both terms are reflective of a child that is wild and unruly or rebellious. The children of his household are submitting to their father’s guidance as a believer would.

B. Why are some of the reasons that character is important when it comes to the Elders in God’s Church?