Leaders of the Church
Chapter 3
Leaders in the Church
This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
A COMMENDATION (3:1)
3:1 The word “overseer” receives such translations as “bishop” (KJV, ASV), “Presiding-Officer” (TCNT), “superintendent” (Goodspeed), or “pastor” (Williams). In such passages as Acts 20:17, 28 and Titus 1:5, 7 the terms “elders” and “overseers” appear together to suggest that the positions are partially, if not fully, interchangeable.
In discussing the office of an overseer, Paul was not requesting that Timothy begin a new office in the church. Men were already functioning in the position (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28). What Paul stipulated was that those appointed to the office were to possess qualifications of commitment. Four general statements summarize the qualifications Paul listed in 3:2–7. First, the overseer was to be obedient in observable behavior (3:2–3). Both Christians and non-Christians needed to see commitment in his life-style. Second, the overseer was to lead his own family well (3:4–5). Paul viewed leadership in the family as a proving ground for leadership in the church. Third, the overseer needed experience in his Christian walk (3:6). A neophyte believer appointed to a place of leadership could be blinded by a cloud of pride. Finally, the leader needed the respect of outsiders (3:7). These outsiders might not prefer his doctrines and morals, but they had to respect his integrity and commitment.