1Ti 3:1 | KingComments | STEP | As an introduction on this chapter I would like to give a brief repetition. You know that this letter is meant in the first place for Timothy personally. As a messenger of the apostle he needs to know which guidelines he ought to present to the believers. Second, and we will pay particular attention to this in this chapter, Timothy gets instructions in this letter about those who want to minister as an overseer, i.e. an elder, and as a deacon. Third, all believers get practical teachings about their walk of life in this letter. None of us takes the position like Timothy. Therefore none of us is supposed to have the right to appoint elders. For this reason we are neither able to impose regulations on the church, which we would have heard directly from an apostle. But the prescriptions that Paul passes on to Timothy are certainly essential to you, because they have regard to the life of believers. And even though you are not called to minister as an elder or deacon, this third chapter is still meaningful to you. The conditions that are prescribed for an elder and a deacon are the rules of conduct for all believers. . What Paul is going to say now about the “office of overseer” and the “overseer” originates in a “statement” that is “trustworthy”, because it comes from God. This starting point is important. It should be a motivation for the exertion of a heavy duty, for the ministry of an overseer is certainly not light. It is not something you just do as a kind of side-occupation. This work is definitely accompanied by disappointments. How encouraging the trustworthy Word of God then can be to keep on going when that happens. Someone may aspire the office of overseer just as someone may desire the spiritual gifts ( ). ‘Aspire’ indicates the effort, to reach out to be able to function as an overseer. It is not a reaching out to an authoritative position, but to a task of a servant. Surrender to and love for the Lord and the desire to serve Him in dependence and obedience should be the only motivation of this aspiring. The work that the overseer does is serving in the ‘position of an overseer’, which means that he takes care of the souls and the walk of the believers. It means further that he commits himself to make the members of Christ respond to His love and that they do not lose any Christian privileges. God values this as “a fine work”, for it consists of nothing less than shepherding His flock ( ; cf. ). Note that Timothy doesn’t get the order to appoint overseers. Paul gives him a list of qualifications. These qualification are about certain spiritual characteristics (‘temperate’, ‘not quarrelsome’), about the condition in circumstances (‘husband of one wife’) and about experience (‘not a novice’). The list is not only useful to Timothy, but also to us. Each church that responds to God’s thought will desire that the men with these characteristics amongst them will be revealed. We ought to acknowledge these men ( ). An overseer is the same as an elder. The proof of that you find by comparing with and with . The word ‘overseer’ characterizes more the nature of the work, it is a guiding and leading task. The word ‘elder’ characterizes more the office bearer, the person who executes the task, it is a person with a matured life experience. 1. . The overseer “must be above reproach”. There should be no objections against him. No fault ought to be found concerning his character or conduct, for that could be used as a weapon against him by people with a negative attitude. The issues for which he definitely ought to be blameless are indicated in details in the following characteristics. 2. The first is that he must be “the husband of one wife”. Needless to say that an overseer ought to be married. How could he otherwise be able to say anything on marital problems? The significance of a pure marriage, wherein the absolute faithfulness of the overseer to his wife is the most important pillar, is uppermost. 3. He must also be “temperate”. This should be understood in a spiritual sense. It means that he abstains from everything that is intoxicating. He ought to keep himself far away from all exaggeration and ought not let himself be dragged by emotions, whether his own emotions or other people’s emotions. He should not let himself be influenced by all kinds of false teachings. He should always have a clear mind. 4. He must also be “prudent”, which refers more to his inward being. He is in control in his performance and is not quickly agitated. 5. “Respectable” refers more to the outward. His appearance and language use renders dignity. He shall not easily burst out and will not act or speak chaotically. 6. That he is “hospitable” means that he is willing to listen to others, that he is inviting and hearty. 7. That makes him able for the next quality and that is “able to teach”. He knows the Word of God and knows how to apply it in the right way. . You have learnt now about seven positive characteristics. Now some negative characteristics follow. 1. He must not be “addicted to wine”. Not only that he is not drunk, but he is also in control of himself, with a view to the use of alcohol. 2. He must neither be “pugnacious”. He must remain in control in whatever way he may be provoked. He ought not to become violent. He neither fights verbally for his own right. 3. Instead of fighting for his own right, if needed with violence, he is “gentle”, he complies. 4. He must be “peaceable”. A quarrelsome person grasps every dispute to quarrel about. But an overseer doesn’t quarrel, is not on a path of war. He strives for everything that serves peace. 5. He is known as someone who is “free from the love of money”. He does not seek financial profit and will not be bribed. . After his personal characteristics, some characteristics related to his performance in his household (family) and in the world are now mentioned. The family is the first circle of responsibility. A person can only be an overseer when “he manages his own household well”. His family life makes clear whether he is suited for a broader circle of responsibility in the church. ‘Me and my house’ ( ) applies especially to the overseer. His house ought to be a reflection of the house of God. If an overseer fails in that first area, it will have a major impact on the service in the second area (see Eli, ). In the ‘profile’ of the overseer also is included that he is “keeping his children under control with all dignity” (cf. ; ). He is not a weak father like Eli who did not even rebuke his sons ( ). Neither is he a tyrant who lashes out in blind rage to his children.. He applies discipline as God disciplines His children, in love and for a purpose ( ; ; ). The overseer deals with his children 1. with a steadfastness that makes it advisable to obey; 2. with a wisdom that makes it natural to obey and 3. with a love that makes them love to obey. . It will be clear that “if a man doesn’t know how to manage his own household”, he will neither be able to “take care of the church of God”. If he doesn’t know how to deal with his children how could he be able to deal with those who are in need of care in the church? It is the church of God ( ). That makes the task extraordinarily important. In ‘taking care of’ you notice the loving attention of the overseer for the well-being of each member of God’s church. That care can only be found if it is in line with the loving interest that he has as a father for his own children. Now read 1 Timothy 3:1-5 again. Reflection: Are there men in the local church where you belong, whom you recognize as overseers, because they meet the qualifications that God’s Word shows up here?

‏ 1 Timothy 3:1

The Office of Overseer

As an introduction on this chapter I would like to give a brief repetition. You know that this letter is meant in the first place for Timothy personally. As a messenger of the apostle he needs to know which guidelines he ought to present to the believers. Second, and we will pay particular attention to this in this chapter, Timothy gets instructions in this letter about those who want to minister as an overseer, i.e. an elder, and as a deacon. Third, all believers get practical teachings about their walk of life in this letter.

None of us takes the position like Timothy. Therefore none of us is supposed to have the right to appoint elders. For this reason we are neither able to impose regulations on the church, which we would have heard directly from an apostle. But the prescriptions that Paul passes on to Timothy are certainly essential to you, because they have regard to the life of believers. And even though you are not called to minister as an elder or deacon, this third chapter is still meaningful to you. The conditions that are prescribed for an elder and a deacon are the rules of conduct for all believers.

1Tim 3:1. What Paul is going to say now about the “office of overseer” and the “overseer” originates in a “statement” that is “trustworthy”, because it comes from God. This starting point is important. It should be a motivation for the exertion of a heavy duty, for the ministry of an overseer is certainly not light. It is not something you just do as a kind of side-occupation. This work is definitely accompanied by disappointments. How encouraging the trustworthy Word of God then can be to keep on going when that happens.

Someone may aspire the office of overseer just as someone may desire the spiritual gifts (1Cor 12:31 ; 1Cor 14:1). ‘Aspire’ indicates the effort, to reach out to be able to function as an overseer. It is not a reaching out to an authoritative position, but to a task of a servant. Surrender to and love for the Lord and the desire to serve Him in dependence and obedience should be the only motivation of this aspiring.

The work that the overseer does is serving in the ‘position of an overseer’, which means that he takes care of the souls and the walk of the believers. It means further that he commits himself to make the members of Christ respond to His love and that they do not lose any Christian privileges. God values this as “a fine work”, for it consists of nothing less than shepherding His flock (Acts 20:28; cf. 1Pet 5:1-4).

Note that Timothy doesn’t get the order to appoint overseers. Paul gives him a list of qualifications. These qualification are about certain spiritual characteristics (‘temperate’, ‘not quarrelsome’), about the condition in circumstances (‘husband of one wife’) and about experience (‘not a novice’). The list is not only useful to Timothy, but also to us. Each church that responds to God’s thought will desire that the men with these characteristics amongst them will be revealed. We ought to acknowledge these men (1Thes 5:12).

An overseer is the same as an elder. The proof of that you find by comparing Acts 20:17 with Acts 20:28 and Tit 1:5 with Tit 1:7. The word ‘overseer’ characterizes more the nature of the work, it is a guiding and leading task. The word ‘elder’ characterizes more the office bearer, the person who executes the task, it is a person with a matured life experience.

1. 1Tim 3:2. The overseer “must be above reproach”. There should be no objections against him. No fault ought to be found concerning his character or conduct, for that could be used as a weapon against him by people with a negative attitude. The issues for which he definitely ought to be blameless are indicated in details in the following characteristics.

2. The first is that he must be “the husband of one wife”. Needless to say that an overseer ought to be married. How could he otherwise be able to say anything on marital problems? The significance of a pure marriage, wherein the absolute faithfulness of the overseer to his wife is the most important pillar, is uppermost.

3. He must also be “temperate”. This should be understood in a spiritual sense. It means that he abstains from everything that is intoxicating. He ought to keep himself far away from all exaggeration and ought not let himself be dragged by emotions, whether his own emotions or other people’s emotions. He should not let himself be influenced by all kinds of false teachings. He should always have a clear mind.

4. He must also be “prudent”, which refers more to his inward being. He is in control in his performance and is not quickly agitated.

5. “Respectable” refers more to the outward. His appearance and language use renders dignity. He shall not easily burst out and will not act or speak chaotically.

6. That he is “hospitable” means that he is willing to listen to others, that he is inviting and hearty.

7. That makes him able for the next quality and that is “able to teach”. He knows the Word of God and knows how to apply it in the right way.

1Tim 3:3. You have learnt now about seven positive characteristics. Now some negative characteristics follow.

1. He must not be “addicted to wine”. Not only that he is not drunk, but he is also in control of himself, with a view to the use of alcohol.

2. He must neither be “pugnacious”. He must remain in control in whatever way he may be provoked. He ought not to become violent. He neither fights verbally for his own right.

3. Instead of fighting for his own right, if needed with violence, he is “gentle”, he complies.

4. He must be “peaceable”. A quarrelsome person grasps every dispute to quarrel about. But an overseer doesn’t quarrel, is not on a path of war. He strives for everything that serves peace.

5. He is known as someone who is “free from the love of money”. He does not seek financial profit and will not be bribed.

1Tim 3:4. After his personal characteristics, some characteristics related to his performance in his household (family) and in the world are now mentioned. The family is the first circle of responsibility. A person can only be an overseer when “he manages his own household well”. His family life makes clear whether he is suited for a broader circle of responsibility in the church. ‘Me and my house’ (Jos 24:15) applies especially to the overseer. His house ought to be a reflection of the house of God. If an overseer fails in that first area, it will have a major impact on the service in the second area (see Eli, 1Sam 2:11-36).

In the ‘profile’ of the overseer also is included that he is “keeping his children under control with all dignity” (cf. Gen 18:18-19; Jer 35:1-19). He is not a weak father like Eli who did not even rebuke his sons (1Sam 3:13). Neither is he a tyrant who lashes out in blind rage to his children.. He applies discipline as God disciplines His children, in love and for a purpose (Eph 6:4; Heb 12:5-12; Pro 23:13 ; Pro 29:15).

The overseer deals with his children

1. with a steadfastness that makes it advisable to obey;

2. with a wisdom that makes it natural to obey and

3. with a love that makes them love to obey.

1Tim 3:5. It will be clear that “if a man doesn’t know how to manage his own household”, he will neither be able to “take care of the church of God”. If he doesn’t know how to deal with his children how could he be able to deal with those who are in need of care in the church? It is the church of God (Acts 20:28). That makes the task extraordinarily important.

In ‘taking care of’ you notice the loving attention of the overseer for the well-being of each member of God’s church. That care can only be found if it is in line with the loving interest that he has as a father for his own children.

Now read 1 Timothy 3:1-5 again.

Reflection: Are there men in the local church where you belong, whom you recognize as overseers, because they meet the qualifications that God’s Word shows up here?