"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"
Elders And Their Qualifications (1:5-9)
INTRODUCTION
- In writing Titus, Paul reminds him why he was left in Crete...
- To set in order the things the things that are lacking - Tit 1:5
- To appoint elders in every city - ibid.
- The word 'elder' comes from the Greek word presbuteros...
- Lit., an older person
- Often used to describe "persons of ripe age and experience who
were called to take part in the management of public affairs."
- The Complete WordStudy Dictionary
- Applied to certain members of the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin)
- e.g., Mt 26:57
- Also applied to men appointed to positions in the church - cf. Ti
1:5; Ac 14:27
[What service did the elders render in the church? What qualifications
were necessary to be appointed as an elder? Let's first review...]
- THE OFFICE OF ELDERS
- IN THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
- The elders were also known as:
- Bishops (Grk., episkopos, overseer) - for their duty was
to oversee the local congregation - cf. Ac 20:17; 1Pe 5:1-2
- Pastors (Grk. poimen, shepherd) - for their task was to
shepherd and feed the flock of God - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1 Pe
5:1-2
- Elder, bishop, and pastor were not three distinct offices, but
different ways to describe the men and their work - cf.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, Moody Handbook of Theology
- A congregation that was completely and scripturally
organized...
- Contained a plurality of qualified men serving as bishops
- e.g., Php 1:1
- They were assisted by qualified men serving as deacons
- ibid.
- Their authority was limited to their local congregation
- They were to take heed to the flock of God "among which" the
Holy Spirit made them overseers - Ac 20:28
- They were to shepherd the flock "among them", serving as
overseers - 1Pe 5:1-2
- The elders of one congregation did not have oversight of
Christians in other churches
- IN THE SERVICE OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
- Elders were 'shepherds' (pastors) and 'overseers' (bishops) of
the congregation
- Taking heed to themselves - Ac 20:28a
- Taking heed to the flock of God among them - Ac 20:28b; 1 Pe
5:2
- Leading by example - 1Pe 5:3
- Watching out for trouble - Ac 20:29-31
- Depending upon God and His Word - Ac 20:32
- Elders were to be 'teachers' and 'rulers' of the flock
- Able to teach - 1Ti 3:2
- Able to rule others well - 1Ti 3:4-5; 5:17
- Holding fast what they were taught - Tit 1:9
- Able to use the word to exhort and convict - Tit 1:9
[The work of elders (bishops, pastors) was to oversee the flock, leading
and guarding the sheep. Paul called it 'a good work' (1Ti 3:1). Such a
work required qualified men. The qualifications are found in two places
(Tit 1:5-9;1Ti 3:1-7)...]
- THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS
- GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS...
- They describe what an elder 'must be' - Tit 1:7; 1Ti 3:2
- A bishop must be 'a man' - Tit 1:6; 1Ti 3:1-2; cf. 1Ti 2:11,
12; 1Co 14:34-37
- A bishop must be 'blameless'- Tit 1:6-7; 1Ti 3:2
- One against whom no evil charge can be sustained
- Free from accusations that can be rightly proven - cf. 1 Ti
5:19-20
- As a 'steward of God' - Tit 1:7
- A steward was a servant entrusted with that which belongs to
another
- A steward must be faithful, that is, trustworthy - cf. 1Co
4:1-2
- FAMILIAL QUALIFICATIONS...
- The husband of one wife (i.e., married) - Tit 1:6; 1Ti 3:1
- Having faithful children, not accused of dissipation or
insubordination - Tit 1:6
- Ruling his own house well - 1Ti 3:4-5
- SPECIFIC NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
- Not self-willed (must not be arrogant) - Tit 1:7
- Not quick-tempered (not soon angry) - Tit 1:7
- Not given to wine (not a brawler) - Tit 1:7; 1Ti 3:3
- Not violent (no striker, not pugnacious) - Tit 1:7; 1Ti 3:3
- Not greedy for money (not fond of sordid gain) - Tit 1:7; 1 Ti
3:3
- Not quarrelsome (not contentious) - 1Ti 3:3
- Not covetous (no lover of money) - 1Ti 3:3
- Not a novice (not a new convert) - 1Ti 3:6
- SPECIFIC POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
- Hospitable (given to hospitality) - Tit 1:8; 1Ti 3:2
- Lover of what is good (of good men, of goodness) - Tit 1:8
- Sober-minded (prudent, sensible) - Tit 1:8; 1Ti 3:2
- Just (upright) - Tit 1:8
- Holy (devout) - Tit 1:8
- Self-controlled (temperate) - Tit 1:8
- Holding fast the faithful Word as taught - Tit 1:9
- Able to teach, exhort, convict - Tit 1:9; 1Ti 3:2
- Temperate (vigilant) - 1Ti 3:2
- Good behavior (orderly, respectable) - 1Ti 3:2
- Gentle (patient) - 1Ti 3:3
- Good testimony from without (well thought of) - 1Ti 3:7
CONCLUSION
- The list of qualifications can be revealing about the work of
elders...
- It involves teaching, patiently guiding and leading the family of
God
- It tests one's patience (when there is murmuring, discontent, or
apathy among brethren)
- It can place one in volatile situations (e.g., that faced by the
apostles, cf. Ac 6:1-2)
- It can be tempting for those attracted by money (e.g., Judas, the
Pharisees)
- For the flock of God to be well-fed and well-led, it requires men who
meet both...
- The positive qualifications (what an elder must be)
- The negative qualifications (what an elder must not be)
- For those qualified to serve as elders...
- It is a good work - 1Ti 3:1
- It is an awesome work - He 13:17
- It is a rewarding work - 1Pe 5:4
- It is a much needed work - Tit 1:5
May the Lord raise up men to serve His flock in this way; for the need
is certainly great...!
Note: For a detailed series of outlines on the work and qualifications
of elders (bishops, pastors), please see my series entitled "Shepherds
Of The Flock".