Requirements for Leadership

Introduction

In the passage we looked at last week Paul talked about a woman’s role in the church.

When we come to chapter 3, he begins to talk about the requirements of those who serve as church leaders.

1 Timothy 3:1-

1 Timothy 3:1–8 NIV84

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

A Trustworthy saying

Desiring to be a leader of the church of Jesus Christ is a noble task, or good task.

In this section, Paul gives the requirements for the office of “Pastor.”

Above Reproach—Not open to attack; not censured; blameless; above criticism.

The husband of one wife.

Temperate—Sober; unmixed with wine; restrained; abstaining from wine.

Self control—Sensible; reasonable; discreet; having a sound healthy mind; wise.

Respectable—appropriate; well ordered; well behaved.

Hospitable—loving strangers, kind to strangers.

Able to teach.

Not a drunkard—This word is used to describe a person who is addicted to wine.

Not violent but gentle.

Not quarrelsome—Not prone to hostility; not a fighter.

Not a lover of money.

Must manage his own household well.

Must not be a recent convert.

Must have a good reputation with outsiders.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

1 Timothy 3:8–13 NIV84

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Deacons

Now Paul is going to review the requirements of those chosen to be deacons

Men worthy of respect—men of dignity; not clowns.

Sincere—Honest; not hypocritical; not two-faced.

Not engaging in much wine—not addicted to wine.

Not pursuing dishonest gain—not greedy.

Holding to the deep truths of faith—This is a nice fancy way of saying they must have spiritual depth.

Tested—These men must have proved themselves.

Husband of one wife (verse 11).

Must manage his children and household well.

The wives of the deacons:

Worthy of respect—dignified.

Not malicious talkers (gossips).

Temperate—Well balanced.

Trustworthy in everything.

Paul does not discuss the role of a deacon. To Paul, the role of a deacon was whatever the elder needed the deacons to do to help.

1 Timothy 3:14- 16

1 Timothy 3:14–16 NIV84

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

The Purpose of Paul’s writing.

Paul was hoping to come to Ephesus soon, but if he were to be delayed in some way, Timothy would know how people in the church would know how to conduct themselves.

After all, we are the church of the living God. We—the church—becomes the pillar and foundation of truth.

The foundation was originally hidden, but now there were six characteristics that Jesus demonstrated:

He appeared in the body—The incarnation.

Vindicated by the Spirit—The resurrection.

Was seen by the angels—Christ’s exaltation in heaven.

Preached among the nations.

Was believed on in the world.

Was taken up in glory—Refers to the ascension.

Conclusion:

We are His Church! Paul gives us the character qualities of those who lead His church.

He has the right to define that leadership, because He is the great mystery revealed to us by God.