1Ti 3:1-6 | PNT | STEP | Bishops and Deacons SUMMARY OF I TIMOTHY 3: The Qualifications of Bishops. Of Deacons. Their Wives. The Reason for Writing to Timothy of These Matters. They Mystery of Godliness. If a man desireth the office of a bishop . Here, for the first time in the New Testament, is there a delineation of the qualifications and duties of bishops and deacons. Both offices have been alluded to in Acts (elders, ; deacons, ), and both are named in . To form a correct idea of the New Testament bishop we must get away from modern episcopacy. The New Testament bishop was not diocesan, but in charge of a single church. Each church had a plurality. Elders or presbyters, and bishops were only different designations for the same office. This arrangement was not changed until after the close of the first century and the death of the last of the apostles. Of these statements, admitted by the candid learned even of episcopal bodies, the following proofs may be submitted: (1) Paul summons the "elders" of the church at Ephesus ( ), and calls them "bishops" ("overseers") in . (2) In the church of Philippi the "bishops and deacons" are named as the officers ( ). (3) Paul in this Epistle names bishops and deacons as the officers ( ), but names "elders" as officers entrusted with the same duties already named as those of the bishops in . (4) In the Epistle to Titus, Paul commands to "ordain elders in every city" ( ), but in turn describing the qualifications of an elder he calls him a bishop ( ). (5) Peter addresses "elders" and commands them to exercise the office of "bishops" over the flock ( ). The Greek word "episkope", as well as the word "bishop", etymologically means to act as an overseer, or to take the oversight. (6) I might add that Clement of Rome, who wrote to Corinthians about the beginning of the second century, uses the terms interchangeably. Desireth a good work . A very important duty.

1 Timothy 3:1-6

Bishops and Deacons SUMMARY OF I TIMOTHY 3: The Qualifications of Bishops. Of Deacons. Their Wives. The Reason for Writing to Timothy of These Matters. They Mystery of Godliness.

If a man desireth the office of a bishop. Here, for the first time in the New Testament, is there a delineation of the qualifications and duties of bishops and deacons. Both offices have been alluded to in Acts (elders, Ac 11:30 14:23 15:2 16:4 20:17; deacons, Ac 6:1-6), and both are named in Php 1:1. To form a correct idea of the New Testament bishop we must get away from modern episcopacy. The New Testament bishop was not diocesan, but in charge of a single church. Each church had a plurality. Elders or presbyters, and bishops were only different designations for the same office. This arrangement was not changed until after the close of the first century and the death of the last of the apostles. Of these statements, admitted by the candid learned even of episcopal bodies, the following proofs may be submitted: (1) Paul summons the "elders" of the church at Ephesus (Ac 20:17), and calls them "bishops" ("overseers") in Ac 20:28. (2) In the church of Philippi the "bishops and deacons" are named as the officers (Php 1:1). (3) Paul in this Epistle names bishops and deacons as the officers (1Ti 3:1,12), but names "elders" as officers entrusted with the same duties already named as those of the bishops in 1Ti 5:17-22. (4) In the Epistle to Titus, Paul commands to "ordain elders in every city" (Tit 1:5), but in turn describing the qualifications of an elder he calls him a bishop (Tit 1:7). (5) Peter addresses "elders" and commands them to exercise the office of "bishops" over the flock (1Pe 5:1,2). The Greek word "episkope", as well as the word "bishop", etymologically means to act as an overseer, or to take the oversight. (6) I might add that Clement of Rome, who wrote to Corinthians about the beginning of the second century, uses the terms interchangeably.

Desireth a good work. A very important duty. A bishop then must be . . . . None must be appointed because they desire the place. None are eligible unless they fill the following qualifications.

Blameless. Not under charges; of good repute.

The husband of one wife. A married man, and having only one wife. In those loose times of divorce, men might be converted who had successively several wives. Divorce for unscriptural reasons would not free a man from his first, lawful wife. Hence the limitation to those who had only one living wife. I do not think there is any reference to re-marriage after the death of a wife.

Sober minded. Sedate.

Given to hospitality. Often saints by persecution were made homeless. The bishops must set the example of receiving such.

Apt to teach. Men who have the knowledge and discretion which fit them to teach the flock. Not given to wine. Not a drunken brawler is the idea of the Greek. We must always bear in mind that the church had been formed of Gentiles whose morals had been at a very low standard. One that ruleth well his own house. This implies that he must be a man of family.

Having his children in subjection. He must be a father with obedient children. For if a man know not how to rule his own house. The order of his own house will show whether he is fit to have a charge in the house of God. The sins of Eli's sons showed that Eli, though a good man, was unfitted to rule (1Sa 2:22-25). Not a novice. One recently converted. Those chosen for bishops must be old and tired. Paul and Barnabas did not ordain elders until their second visit to the churches (Ac 14:23).

Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. A novice, suddenly exalted, was in danger of undue elation.