Titus: Servant Leader

Ordain Elders

Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Introduction

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Ordain

What does ordination mean? What is its purpose? Webster’s Dictionary defines ordain as “to invest with a ministerial function or sacerdotal power; to introduce, and establish, and settle in the pastoral office with the customary forms and solemnities."

It does not appear that Paul is referring to Titus as officiating the ordination service on the elders that Paul had appointed. Instead, the word used here means to set or place as a steward or other officer (see Mt 24:45; Lu 12:42; Ac 6:3,) without the ordination ceremony into the office. However, without further reference, we cannot rule out that Titus did not perform the ceremony. Titus was to complete the task of setting these elders over the churches. It also appears that some of these “elders” might not even be part of that local body of believers.

Elders/Presbyteros

In the previous verse, the Apostle Paul gave Titus his “marching orders.” He was to “ordain elders” and “set in order the things that are wanting.” Paul begins his teaching in the reverse order – the qualifications of elders for the churches he has been left to organize and shepherd.

The qualification of Elders is covered in other passages by the Apostle Paul. These qualifications were given to churches through Timothy and Titus (1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-11)

Elders were well known to the Jews. They were an integral part of the synagogue. The duty of the elder was to older men and was selected to run the day-to-day administration of the synagogue. There was a “council of elders” that oversaw the religious and secular matters of the community, including the synagogue.

Elders were placed in charge of the Temple Mount and Synagogues. However, Luke was first to mention “elders,” Greek word “presbyteros” in the Christian church (Ac 14:23). Literally, the word means “men of age.” During the four hundred years between the Old and New Testaments, synagogues sprang up in cities large enough to have ten (10) Jewish men to study the Law and the Prophets. An elder (presbyteros) was chosen and his task was to oversee the organization of the synagogue. The elder would select the scroll to be read from and who was to bring the teaching on that scroll. He would also open and close the doors. He was the general manager of the synagogue he was assigned.

Qualifications of Elders of the Christian Church

Before we get started in this session, I believe that it is critical and necessary that we understand the reasons for the “qualifications” for the office of Bishop/Elder/Pastor. The church plants would be receiving increased visibility in the community. Also, the office of Elder would mean increased accountability on his part. Of course, all believers are accountable to the LORD, however further scrutiny in their life, governed by their conduct, will always be viewed by the members of the church and their neighbors. Therefore, for these fledgling churches, the accountability of the Elder by his actions, words, and even his own family should be exemplary in the eyes of the believers and nonbelieving communities.

And may I add…it is very much the same today.

Since Titus was to “ordain elders in every city” as Paul had appointed them, it only follows that Paul would give Titus the requirements for elders.

Five Negative and Six Positive Personality Traits

Paul followed these domestic qualifications with a succinct list of five negative and six positive personality and character traits. Concerning the negative traits, F. D. Gealy observes, “Since the office of bishop is one of authority and power, the vices named are those to which persons in such positions are tempted.” Each negative trait is presented as one word preceded by “not” (mē).[1]

Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

“If any be blameless…”

Paul clearly teaches that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Ro 3:10). How then can an elder be found “blameless?” The answer is in the definition of the word “blameless.” In the New Testament, this is a characteristic of Christ and His followers. Christ was a “lamb without blemish or defect” (1Pe1:19). Christ offered Himself unblemished before God as a sacrifice (He 9:14)

Hebrews 7:26-28 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Therefore, “blameless” in this sense refers to a man who is “covered by the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ,” and not one who is sinless, or blameless before others.

“The husband of one wife…”

This statement by the Apostle has brought such debate throughout the church. I will say this emphatically and with little reserve…only a man can be a Bishop/Elder/Pastor. Contrary to those denominations and Baptist churches that see it differently. The wording could be changed to “one-woman man” as the Greek supports.

The second affirmation is that the office of Bishop/Elder/Pastor can only be held by a man that has not been divorced or in a polygamous relationship.

Let me add here that I know many wonderful, spirit filled Christian men that have vibrant and growing ministries even though they have been divorced. The requirement as stated in the Lakeview Baptist Church Bylaws, is for the position of pastor or deacon be one that the man under consideration for those offices has not been divorced.

“Having faithful children…”

The term faithful includes the idea that his children are “full of faith.” Many have taken this a step further to mean that all children of a Bishop/Elder/Pastor be saved. While the text supports that idea, another use of the word would be that his children are trustworthy, in subjection unto their father.

A word of caution here. No Bishop/Elder/Pastor can guarantee the conversion of his family. However, while in their household, the children should act in a way that is faithful to the teachings of their father.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre

“blameless as a steward of God…”

As a steward of God, the Bishop must be blameless. This carries a different connotation than previously thought. In this connection between being blameless and being a steward of God sets the parameters of Paul’s lesson.

A steward is someone who does not own but manages all that his master has given him to perform. In this case, being a “steward of God” implies that he is faithful to carry out the commands of the Father.

“…not selfwilled…”

The role of the Bishop/Elder/Pastor is one of service unto the LORD. Being self-centered with agenda’s that are contrary to the work of the LORD should be seen as a disqualification. He must not be arrogant.

The position of elder should not be viewed as a “resume” builder. It is a calling from the Most High God. The office is one of servanthood and not position.

“…not soon angry…”

An Elder should not have a quick temper.

“Temper is such a wonderful thing that it is a shame to lose it.”[2]

“…not given to wine…”

The next three qualities work together. If a man is addicted to wine or to money.

As we continue with this list it should be plain to everyone that the qualities listed would be undermined by the reckless and inappropriate behavior often associated with drunkenness.[3]

That great evangelist Billy Sunday’s favorite vice to preach on was “Mr. Booze.” In fact, his preaching was instrumental in getting Prohibition passed. He would constantly proclaim, “To know what the devil will do, find out what the saloon is doing," he said repeatedly. "If ever there was a jubilee in hell it was when lager beer was invented."

“…no stricker…”

If the elder is to represent Jesus, then it just makes sense that the author of “turn the other cheek” would be against the “violent” (mē plēktēn, lit. a striker).

I remember as a youngster the adage my mom taught me, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” I have since learned that that is just not so. I have learned that words strike harder than fists and the bruises they leave take a while to dissolve.

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate.

“But…” is a powerful word. It is an adversative particle. This simple word shows a contrast between what was said and what is about to be said. In this case Paul is going to contrast that last five negative traits with the six positive traits of the elder.

“…a lover of hospitality…”

Generous and gracious in their treatment of guests. I think we all know what makes a good host and what characteristics make a bad host. Always looking out for the welfare of those around him.

My son in law, Paul, is one of those people that by the end of the party or meal, he has spent time with every guest. My daughter and I call it “working the room.” I want to add that this is not a “duty” on his part, it is just how he sees and treats people.

“…a lover of good men…”

Searches out and surrounds himself with men of good standing.

“…sober…”

Sober, not as in sobriety, but in self-control. Knee-jerk reactions can ruin the testimony of an elder.

“…just…”

Righteous in all his ways. Striving for a discipline of righteousness in all his ways.

“…holy…”

I like the term my pastor used as I was growing up. Being holy means to be “unpolluted with the wickedness of the world.”

“…temperate…”

To be temperate simply means to be disciplined. Disciplined in prayer, bible study, and concern for the lost. Disciplined enough to balance the many requirements of family and the church.

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

If you are a student of the Bible, you may have seen that many of the writers, when compiling a list emphasize one of the points with a longer treatment than the others. This is especially true when the point emphasized is the last one, as in this case.

Reviewing the items listed in verses six through nine, it is verse nine that is the crux of his teaching and the culmination of the whole list.

The Bishop/Elder/overseer (v. 7) is to teach. Therefore, the integrity, quality, and temperament of his character should not be a stumbling stone to his hearers.

We will see the importance of this in the following passage (Ti 1:10-16)

Conclusion

The rules are strict for the office of Pastor. There is a reason they are laid out so clearly, and the requirements should not be watered down or forsaken.

Titus, as a Servant Leader under the tutelage of the Apostle Paul, was to carry out the ordaining of men in an unknown number of cities.

[1] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 283 [2] Unknown [3] John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Tt 1:7.