The Character Traits of Trustworthy Elders

These churches will need to be able to continue in effective ministry in reaching more people for Christ even when Paul is absent and Titus is no longer there as well.

To that end, Paul wants Titus to first…

Establish a (mutually accountable) plurality of godly elders.

…in each community of believers. To be healthy, local churches must have godly elders.

And then he sets out to define…

What kind of servant leaders are to be entrusted with this responsibility (eldership)? (vv. 6-9) - Character Traits & Teaching Task of Trustworthy Elders

The answer to the unstated question can be summarized in their character traits and their primary teaching task. They must have respectable character that is worthy of imitation, and they must be solid in the gospel (the word) and able to teach it.

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 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. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

The overall marker of their character is that they are to be…

Character: Above Reproach (Blameless)

… repeated in v. 6 & v. 7.

-Not perfect, but reputable, respectable, trustworthy: someone we can imitate or follow as they follow Christ. In other words, elders (overseers, shepherds, pastors) must be mature, godly men.

Where is this trait most clearly seen? In their first and most fundamental ministries: (in the case of married men) to their wife and kids (should the Lord give them children).

To be considered for eldership, a man must be a faithful husband and faithful steward in his home life. (v. 6)

If you want to know what a person is like, find out how they treat the people in closest relationship to them.

Then too our passage continues…

As a steward in God’s church, an overseer (elder) must be above reproach in modeling godly attitudes and behaviors. (vv. 7&8)

We’re asking someone to be a manager in God’s household, even a fellow steward (cooperating with others in the task of overseeing), and it is foundational to the health of the church. A steward is caring for and managing something that does not belong to him, but belongs to another. Because the church is God’s own people of his possession, this servant leadership responsibility is not to be taken lightly, and must therefore be entrusted to only those who have proven with their lives (and continue demonstrating) a sincere and sober focus on learning to have Christlike character.

Virtue lists in Scripture provide us with a unique opportunity to slow down and consider our own lives, taking time to prayerfully meditate on our character and growth before God, confessing sin and pursuing Christlikeness. So even as we explain these character traits this morning, I sincerely encourage you to invest more time on your own thinking and praying over these markers in your own life.

There is a similar list of character qualifications in 1 Tim 3:2-7, with some overlap, but each also has unique emphases not present in the other. The similarities and differences lead me to two conclusions: These lists are exemplary but not completely exhaustive. [repeat and explain] Plus, some things might be emphasized more in one than the other because of the situation, in this case concerning the culture in Crete and the youth of the churches there.

In verse 7 comes first a list of…

VICES that must NOT characterize him (& us too!)

1. The first negative trait that must not be a marker of his character is that he must not be “arrogant” in the sense of being “overbearing” and “stubbornly self-willed.” The opposite of this would be a man who is humble with a healthy self-doubt that does not assume he ais right and everyone else is wrong (or at least less right than you).

I can tell you from my own learning curve and from experience in dealing with others, that I’ve found a way we can be alert to this in ourselves: If you find yourself in every discussion or disagreement, no matter who else is in the room, that you really do think you have the best understanding and approach to the problem, then you are almost certainly being arrogant and self-willed. Even a person with much biblical knowledge and a zeal for God’s glory can still be marked by this: ‘I’m pretty much always right, even when I’m forced to give in or submit.’

By God’s grace, we need a healthy self-doubt that yields a teachable spirit and leans heavily on God’s confirmation of truth in our hearts through his word and the godly teaching and shepherding of others around us.

2. He should also not be quick to anger, not quick-tempered. This explosive lack of control harms relationships and stirs up strife where being peaceable and gracious would settle the situation by either being understanding of another (giving them the benefit of the doubt) or patiently helping them see their error.

Rather than prone to turn a minor ripple into a wave of disagreement, this person is not quick-tempered but peaceable, bringing calm even to hard situations and conversations.

3. The third vice is that he must not be given to drunkenness, more literally (in Greek) that he not be addicted to wine. Be careful though not to limit this to only having an addiction problem, or limiting this only to wine. The Bible has plenty to say against drunkenness resulting in a loss of our faculties and proper self-control.

To be clear, one cannot say that the Bible flat out prohibits drinking any alcohol (even if their alcohol content in some cases was lower than ours tends to be today), although one might argue that because of its many problems with excess, they recommend avoiding it altogether as the better part of wisdom. (Whether or not we partake in any alcohol content at all we will have to leave up to each other’s conscience and conviction.)

The point Paul makes is countercultural to the carousing scene in Crete, which by and large accepted and promoted such things as drunkenness. Drunkenness and other forms of addiction are serious issues in our day as well, with differing levels of loss of our faculties and proper self-control. Getting drunk, getting high, shooting up, and taking narcotic pills all begin small and lead to catastrophic life consequences, a sure sign that God is wise and we should obey him when we are warned against these things that take control of us. - As an aside then, if you are participating in any of these, it is not a matter to keep hidden, but to seek help from trusted, godly leaders (and even medical resources).

4. The fourth, not violent, is often closely connected with the previous drunkenness issue, though not exclusively. Wisdom knows that drunkenness is often connected to violence.

But one considered for eldership must not be marked by an inclination to violence, to be eager to fight, or to bully others to get his way. It could be connected to being quick-tempered (#2 vice), but can also be more subtle than that.

We know that a person can be pugnacious (inclined to argue and quarrel) without too much to drink or even being short-fused and explosive. Such a one prefers arguments rather than a composure that aims for clarity that leads to unity. (… even if we agree to disagree. On some issues, accepting diversity is the key to unity.)

We must not think it’s ok to be inclined to fight and argue. Such does not make us manly, but sinful. Meekness is not weakness but strength under control.

5. The fifth and final vice in Paul’s list is that he must not be greedy for gain, elevating the aim to acquire wealth to an idolatrous place in his life. As it would have been in Crete, so in our own society this temptation is not only readily available but treated us a symbol of status and sometimes even superiority. (Neither does having wealth automatically make one an evil oppressor, either… as many would now have you believe in our present moral insanity and incongruity. How much wealth one may have is not the issue, but the posture and treatment of others that prioritizes this is evident in dishonesty and greed.)

So too this vice is particularly disastrous and shameful when spiritual leaders use their position and influence for their greed. This is an example of where the fruit of our lives and our lips betrays our motivation within. Although the emphasis is on money/financial gain, this could also be applied to wanting the position for status and influence rather than seeing oneself as a servant of God’s people.

When a person serves greed, he cannot serve God. (see Mt 6:24 No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.) When a person serves greed, he cannot serve God.

But in contrast to these 5 vices, Paul now lists 6 virtues that should characterize the man who could be considered for eldership, for servant leadership in the church.

VIRTUES that MUST characterize him (& us too!)

1. To be hospitable means to treat guests and strangers with kindness and generosity, particularly in the context of offering food, lodging, and other provision. It was not only an important virtue in Judaism, it would have been especially essential “In the rough, pioneer setting of the early church in Crete.” -Philip H. Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2006), 688–689.

Before we leave hospitality, I just want to say that surely this is not less than a willingness to graciously host people in our homes, to let them into our space, and also to treat guests well when they visit with us as a gathering of God’s people. And then I would broaden hospitality as well to say that, particularly of a shepherd, he should be marked by an attitude and demeanor of kindness and generosity toward others, even when it is not convenient. That is what it is to be hospitable.

2. Next, to be a man marked by loving what is good would mean that he can both recognize what is good and that he desires it for people. Something that comes to mind in this regard is Paul’s list to the Philippians of the kinds of things they should focus their minds on, meditate on: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:8)

Such a man will recognize and encourage others when their attitudes and actions are praiseworthy, and he will uphold the communicable attributes of God’s own excellencies in order that we might be admonished to both admire them and to pursue them.

3. The third characteristic is that he must be prudent - wise and self-controlled in mind (in order to be moderate and sensible, especially over one’s passions and desires). In other words, this prudence (self-control) is careful, wise discernment; it knows to avoid rash behaviour or speech; and it is the good management of talents and resources and the showing of tact and wisdom in relationships with other people.

By the way, still to come in this letter, this quality will be elevated and expected of everyone: It is mentioned specifically with regards to both older men and younger men, and in connection with some of the things older women should teach the younger women.

4. Fourth, Upright might be the best translation here for this word that is literally righteous or just, because Paul isn’t referring to the position of being made righteous by faith in Christ, but on the character quality that emphasizes walking in a manner that is proper and right and law-abiding. We could say, as Philip Towner does, that “the term focuses on behavior that is just, fair and inherently honest in dealing with people.” -Philip H. Towner, 689–690.

5. As the previous word (upright) is connected to one’s duty to other people, this next characteristic, holy, can also be translated as devout because it has the sense of a recognition and desire to live set apart to God, pleasing to God. This would include moral purity but is not limited to it. As God himself is completely other, holy, when he consecrates us to himself we also are to live in a manner that is holy, set apart to him and desiring to please him.

Notice too that qualities like uprightness and holiness mark these men as quite distinct from both the Cretan culture and the ungodliness of the false teachers. (v. 12b, v. 16)

6. Sixth in the list is another word that can be translated as self-controlled (in ESV here as discipline). Self control means to not let oneself be ruled by emotions, passions, and lust, but instead to have mastery over them. Self-control = mastery over one’s emotions and yearnings, including one’s sensual desires.

- Emotions are given to us by God, and physical desires are inherent in the way God has made us, but in our flesh (sin) they will seek to have mastery over us. But we are instructed specifically, and repeatedly, that in Christ we must learn to have mastery over our emotions and physical desires. The verb form of this word also rounds out the list of the fruit of the Spirit… which is in contrast to the works of the flesh (where such things are not kept in check). But in submission to the Spirit and by his power, God’s own fruit in us is a self-control to keep our emotions and physical desires in their proper place.

We should all be growing in these godly characteristics, but our servant leaders must be exemplary models of them. Though they will not be perfect, the pattern of their lives should be characterized by these traits. Until or unless they can display this kind of consistency that is an example to others, we should not put them in a position of servant leadership as shepherds/elders/overseers.

Now in v. 9 we come to a final characteristic of the man considered for eldership for the health of the church, placed last here for emphasis, because Paul intends further explanation of the teaching duty that corresponds to this office of servant leadership.

Teaching: He must hold firmly to gospel truth in order to exhort with sound doctrine and refute any contradiction of it. (v. 9)

In 1 Tim 3:2 “skillful in teaching” is an additional adjective in the list of qualifications for an elder/overseer, and the one characteristic that provides the distinction from the similar qualifications for deacons (also in 1 Tim 3:8-13). Here we not only have that similar concept but a more specific emphasis on holding firmly to the trustworthy apostolic teaching, in order to both exhort with healthy doctrine and to refute those speaking against it.

So in Titus this qualification for elders is more obviously set off from the required godly character traits to focus on the shepherds’ primary teaching task. Teaching is not the only responsibility of eldership, but it is primary; it is a kind of fountainhead from which all other shepherding flows.

Conclusion:

Character Matters - How will get there?

1. Saving faith in Jesus Christ makes us children of God who begin to have the ability to be like him from the inside out. Without God changing you, through your repentance and faith, you will be spinning your wheels like a stationary bike. But in Christ, he promises to make progress in our lives as we learn from him and submit to him.

2. Pursue knowing God above a desire for spiritual leadership. When you know more of God you will adore him for his attributes and you will admire his qualities such that you will desire to be like him.

- Even though Paul says aspiring to the office of overseer is a noble task (1 Tim 3:1), he then follows that up with the kind of character and teaching that is required. If you aren’t growing in the character and teaching to go with it, then you are likely to have wrong motives for desiring the office.

- Pursue knowing God above seeking a position; in fact, seek to serve as Christ served. Pursue knowing God and seek to serve as Christ served.

3. Now can I close all of this today by saying how important your ministry of prayer is in this endeavor for a healthy church? Surely you must know, if you just give it a brief thought, that the church’s servant leaders are not so very different from the rest of us. And not just because you’ve been there when one of us lets it show that care too much about winning, or tell an off-color joke, or sound a little proud or selfish, or get unnecessarily defensive.

So, will you join me in praying fervently for our elders and his provision for future elders, and for the same for his church everywhere?

And will you join me in praying that God’s work among us will exalt his own great name by producing more and more men and women who are exemplary in godly character and exemplary in clinging to and communicating the truth of the gospel?

PRAY

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