Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 4

Paul Gives the Qualifications for Elders to Brother Titus Part 1

Titus 1:6-7 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 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; KJV 

As we finished up with the Apostle Paul's greeting to Brother Titus in the last study/commentary (Volume 3) we declared, determined, and defined the English word 'elders' as being translated by the Greek word presbuteros meaning men of approved Christian reputation, certain ones to be overseers of the Churches in the several cities. Now Paul wants to instruct Brother Titus on what qualifications these men must have in order to serve in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Church, therefore, Paul begins with these words, "If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." (Titus 1:6) (KJV). The declaration by Paul that the man be 'blameless' is his first requirement for an elder and this English word is translated by the Greek word anegklētos meaning unaccused, that is, (by implication) irreproachable: - blameless. In other words, Paul means a man who is not accused of any infamous crimes out in the world in his outward life, for Paul does not mean a sinless Christian man because there is not one anywhere to be found, but he does mean a man that is not known to be of a bad charcter and is even respected by those who are not Christian, even though they might not like him. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the elder being blameless, "If any be blameless; not absolutely without fault, so none are, for there is none that liveth and sinneth not; nor altogether unblamed, this is rare and difficult. Christ Himself and His Apostles were blamed, though not worthy of it. In Christ there was certainly nothing blamable; and His Apostles were not such as their enemies charged them to be. But the meaning is, he must be one who lies not under an ill character; but rather must have good report, even from those that are without; not grossly or scandalously guilty, so as would bring reproach upon the holy function; he must not be such a one."

When Paul writes here that the elder must be the husband of one wife, he means simply that the Christian man must be married to one woman only and it does not mean that a man who has been divorced could not also be approved as an elder. When Paul writes, 'having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly', he means that his children should be brought up in the faith and that they should show evidence of believing the Gospel of Christ and be children that love, obey, and respect their parents by not being accused of riot or be unruly. The English word 'accused' is translated by the Greek word katēgoria meaning a complaint that is, criminal charge: - accusation. The English word 'riot' is translated by the Greek word asōtia meaning properly unsavedness, that is, (by implication) profligacy, that is, the trait of spending extravagantly and dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure: - excess, riot. The English word 'unruly' is translated by the Greek word anupotaktos meaning unsubdued, that is, insubordinate (in fact or temper): - disobedient, that is not put under, unruly. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the elder's children, "And, as to his children, having faithful children, obedient and good, brought up in the true Christian faith, and living according to it, at least as far as the endeavours of the parents can avail. It is for the honour of ministers that their children be faithful and pious, and such as become their religion. Not accused of riot, nor unruly, not justly so accused, as having given ground and occasion for it, for otherwise the most innocent may be falsely so charged; they must look to it therefore that there be no colour for such censure. Children so faithful, and obedient, and temperate, will be a good sign of faithfulness and diligence in the parent who has so educated and instructed them; and, from his faithfulness in the less, there may be encouragement to commit to him the greater, the rule and government of the Church of God."

Paul declares to Titus that this blamelessness must be the case for God's steward as he writes with these words, "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;" (Titus 1:7) (KJV). The steward or overseer or manager or preacher or governor of God in His Church must not be 'selfwilled' and this English word is translated by the Greek word authadēs meaning self pleasing, that is, arrogant: - self-willed. In other words, the elder or bishop must not want to be named to such an office in the Church of God in order to make a name for himself or to bring pleasure to himself by arrogance, that is, to show himself in a superior manner toward inferiors or to make himself seem important. The Apostle Peter had this to say about those who were selfwilled, "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust for a day of judgment, to be punished, and especially those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise dominion. They are darers, self-pleasing; not trembling at glories, speaking evil." (2 Peter 2:9-10) (MKJV). The elder or bishop must also not be 'soon angry' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word orgilos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning irascible, that is, quickly aroused to anger, hot tempered or short-tempered. Here is what the Proverbs has to say about one who is 'soon angry', "He who is soon angry acts foolishly, and a man of wicked plots is hated." (Proverbs 14:17) (MKJV).

The elder or bishop must not be 'given to wine' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word paroinos meaning staying near wine, that is, tippling (a toper, that is, a person who drinks alcoholic beverages (especially to excess)): - given to wine. Here is what the Proverbs warn about wine, "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to lust for strong drink; lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted." (Proverbs 31:4-5) (MKJV). The elder or bishop must not be a 'striker' and this English word is translated by the Greek word plēktēs meaning a smiter, that is, pugnacious (quarrelsome): that is, he must not be one driven with anger to the point of getting into fights of his own making. It does not mean he should not defend himself if attacked physically. The elder or bishop must not be 'given to filthy lucre' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word aischrokerdēs meaning (gain); sordid: - given to (greedy of) filthy lucre, that is, Not greedy of shameful or illegal gain of money. In other words, he should not want the office in order to make the Gospel of Christ a means of making money in excess or shadily or in a manner to trick or swindle people with lies or falsehood. The Apostle Peter said this to the elder or bishop, "I exhort the elders who are among you, I being also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor for base gain, but readily; nor as lording it over those allotted to you by God, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory." (1 Peter 5:1-4) (MKJV).

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…