Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 24

Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 1

1 Timothy 3:1-2 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work. A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; KJV

Now we find the Apostle Paul completely shifts the focus of his letter to Timothy giving him instruction on what is required by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for leaders to be appointed in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, so he writes first these words, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work." (1 Timothy 3:1) (KJV). During the time the Apostle Paul is writing this letter to Timothy, the true and faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ are undergoing intense suffering of persecutions for the sake of declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Paul wants Timothy and all others who desire to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in any capacity to be clear of the danger that lay ahead just as he reported his trials, turmoil, and trouble to the Church @ Corinth with these words, "For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction {and} oppressing distress which befell us in [the province of] Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down {and} crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in {and} depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead. [For it is He] Who rescued {and} saved us from such a perilous death, and He will still rescue {and} save us; in {and} on Him we have set our hope (our joyful and confident expectation) that He will again deliver us [from danger and destruction and draw us to Himself], While you also cooperate by your prayers for us [helping and laboring together with us]. Thus [the lips of] many persons [turned toward God will eventually] give thanks on our behalf for the grace (the blessing of deliverance) granted us at the request of the many who have prayed." (2 Corinthians 1:8-11) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'desire' is translated by the Greek word oregomai which means to stretch oneself, that is, reach out after (long for): - covet after, desire. The English phrase 'the office of a bishop' is translated by one Greek word episkopē which means inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian “episcopate”. In other words, Paul knew that there would be those who desired for such an office in the Church, but he wanted all to know the consequences of such a desire, if the person be sincere in wanting to proclaim the Gospel of Christ serving as a Bishop in His (Christ) Church. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concering the call to Gospel ministry, "Implying that there would be those who would wish to be put into the ministry. The Lord, undoubtedly, by his Spirit, often excites an earnest and irrepressible desire to preach the Gospel - a desire so strong, that he in whom it exists can be satisfied in no other calling. In such a case, it should be regarded as one evidence of a call to this work." The office of Bishop was to be as one watching over others and directing them in the ways of God the Father by virtue of what God the Father has detailed in His Word the Bible just as the Apostle Peter wrote to those who held such an office with these words, "Warn {and} counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the Church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded): Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion {or} constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages {and} profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly {and} cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation). And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror's crown of glory." (1 Peter 5:1-4) (Amplified Bible).

However strong the desire in a man seeking the 'the office of a bishop' we see that our Lord Jesus Christ has some prerequisites, that is, something that is required in advance of the man entering into such an office in the Church as Paul begins to detail, declare, and define those requirements with these words, "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" (1 Timothy 3:2) (KJV). First, the Apostle declares that a Bishop must be 'blameless' and this English word is translated by the Greek word anepilēptos meaning (by implication) inculpable: - that is, free of guilt; not subject to blame, unrebukeable. In other words, although no Christian can ever be sinless, the Bishop of any Church should be a man that is not known to cheat others in business or meddle in peoples personal affairs or snoop around the business or home of others being nosy or a busybody as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a mischief-maker (a meddler) in the affairs of others [infringing on their rights]." (1 Peter 4:15) (Amplified Bible), instead he should be one who lives peacably with all men as much as lies within him as the Apostle declared with these words, "Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest {and} proper {and} noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21) (Amplified Bible).

When Paul says here, 'the husband of one wife', some people have proclaimed that Paul means the man must not ever have been married before and divorced or suffered the death of his first wife, then this would disqualify him from holding such an office as Bishop, however, this would mean that our Lord Jesus Christ would punish a qualified man who has greived and suffered over the loss of his wife by death. Surely this is not the intent of the words written here by the Apostle Paul, but as Robertson's Word Pictures declares shortly, simply, and sweetly with these words must be Paul's meaning, "Of one wife (mias gunaikos) One at a time, clearly." The English word 'vigilant' is translated by the Greek word nēphaleos meaning sober, that is, (figuratively) circumspect: - that is, heedful or mindful of potential consequences. The English word 'sober' is translated by the Greek word sōphrōn which means safe (sound) in mind, that is, self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): - discreet, sober, temperate. In other words, a Bishop must be a man who is yeilded to God the Holy Spirit's control, thereby, exemplifying self-control in his life, having a sound mind and being carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger as he serves our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'of good behaviour' is translated by one Greek word kosmios meaning orderly, that is, decorous: - of good behaviour, modest. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning a Bishop's behavior, "Must be of good behavior; orderly, decent, grave, and correct in the whole of his appearance, carriage, and conduct. The preceding term, refers to the mind; this latter, to the external manners. A clownish, rude, or boorish man should never have the rule of the Church of God; the sour, the sullen, and the boisterous should never be invested with a dignity which they would most infallibly disgrace."

The English phrase 'given to hospitality' is translated by the Greek word philoxenos which means fond of guests, that is, hospitable: - given to (lover of, use) hospitality. Paul simply means here that he should receive guest cordially as would become a man who is sober, self-controlled, and spiritual. The English phrase 'apt to teach' is translated by the Greek word didaktikos meaning instructive (“didactic”): - that is, excessively willing to teach others the Word of God as God the Holy Spirit teaches him making him a capable teacher. The Bishop should take every occassion in his official duties as Bishop of the Church to teach the Word of God to those he oversees and he should seize on every opportunity outside of his official office of Bishop to do the same thing where ever he may be in the world. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning a Bishop's 'apt to teach', "As the principal business of a preacher of the Gospel is to 'teach,' or to communicate to his fellow-men the knowledge of the truth, the necessity of this qualification is obvious. No one should be allowed to enter the ministry who is not qualified to impart 'instruction' to others on the doctrines and duties of religion; and no one should feel that he ought to continue in the ministry, who has not industry, and self-denial, and the love of study enough to lead him constantly to endeavor to 'increase' in knowledge, that he may be qualified to teach others. A man who would 'teach' a people, must himself keep in advance of them on the subjects on which he would instruct them."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…