1 Timothy: Behaving In God’s House (V)

Overseers In God’s House (3:1-7)

Neal Pollard

Paul uses the phrase, “the saying is trustworthy,” five times in the “Pastoral Epistles” (Once each in 2 Timothy and Titus, but three times in 1 Timothy). In this letter, he uses it to establish the trustworthiness of Christ’s mission to save sinners (1:15), the nobility of aspiring to be an elder (3:1), and the timeless, endless value of godliness (4:9). Whenever the phrase shows up, the subject is incredibly important.

Shifting from woman’s role in God’s house, Paul devotes himself to those special men who serve in “the office of overseer” (1). The Greek word is “episkopḗ.” In its generic usage, it means “the act of visiting or being visited, inspected” (Zodhiates, np). The form here, “episkopos,” suggests watchmen, superintendents, overseers (ibid.). Some versions have “bishop” for “overseer.” The word is used in tandem with “shepherd” in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2. It is used in tandem with “elder” in Titus 1:5,7 (in Philippians 1:1, Paul pairs “elders” and “deacons” together). Three words give us three characteristics of this work. Elder suggests age and dignity, shepherd suggests care and guidance, and overseer suggests authority and accountability. 

Before Paul tells us what this man looks like, spiritually speaking, he highlights the importance and value of the work. The ESV, RSV, and NIV put “noble task.” The NASB has “fine work.” It is “honorable position” in the NLT and “good work” in the NKJ. Translators are trying to convey the powerful combination of those two words. Truly, “The adjective expresses the excellence, the noun the difficulty of the work” (Lange, Schaff, and Oosterzee,  37). Elsewhere, Scripture tells members how they ought to treat the men who accept the challenge of this work: appreciate them (1 Th. 5:12), esteem them highly in love (1 Th. 5:13), obey them (Heb. 13:17), and submit to them (Heb. 13:17). 

The remainder of Paul’s discussion of the overseer is the set of qualifications which determines who should be selected to serve in this role. These qualifications seem to break down into four categories. Let’s notice them more closely.

The overseer’s relationship with God and himself.  At least nine of these qualifications deal with the man’s personal character. Each one deserves lengthy discussion, but for the sake of time and brevity let us briefly examine them.

• “Above reproach” (2). This means what cannot be criticized and faultless. We can rule out sinless perfection in light of the whole of the New Testament teaching on such (Rom. 3:23; 5:12). On the whole, he is not going to be guilty of a habitual character flaw. Many see this qualification as the generic way of dealing with the qualities that follow. In other words, not criticized in the specific areas that follow. 
• “Faithful to his one wife” (2, NEB). Older English translations have fostered confusion about what Paul is saying here, rendering it “the husband of one wife.” This leads the reader to a completely different conclusion, forbidding polygamists, scripturally-divorced and remarried men, or widowers from serving. The first two would be forbidden from even being in spiritual fellowship with the faithful, and the third exhibited his fitness for the job (or not) while she was alive. Literally, Paul is saying he should be a “one woman man.” He will not have a roving eye, indiscreet with the opposite sex, or flirtatious. I wholeheartedly agree with the following explanation: “It is better to see Paul having demanded that the church leader be faithful to his one wife. The Greek describes the overseer literally as a ‘one-woman kind of man’ (cf. ‘faithful to his one wife,’ NEB). Lenski suggests that the term describes a man “who cannot be taken hold of on the score of sexual promiscuity or laxity” (Lea and Griffin, NAC, 110). 
• “Sober-minded” (2). This means restrained, not given to extremes in behavior; perhaps especially in terms of alcohol (Brannan, Lexham Lexicon, np).
• “Self-controlled” (2). Louw-Nida say this means, “‘to behave in a sensible manner, pertaining to being sensible and moderate in one’s behavior” (752).
• “Respectable” (2). BDAG says is pertain “to having characteristics or qualities that evoke admiration or delight, an expression of high regard for” (561).
• “Not a drunkard” (3). The last four of these personal qualities are stated in the negative, indicating what he will avoid. This is the idea of one who habitually drinks too much and consequently gets drunk. Some translations have “addicted to wine.”
• “Not violent but gentle” (3). Well has this been defined as “one who by reproachful and upbraiding language wounds the conscience of his brethren, a contentious person, a quarreler” (Zodhiates, np). He is not to be a bully. Instead, he is kind, tolerant, gracious, and forbearing. 
• “Not quarrelsome” (3). He is not known to be embroiled in conflict, contention, or controversy. In this and violent is the idea of “one who is quicktempered, carries a chip on his shoulder, is ready with his fists” (Lenski, 585). 
• “Not a lover of money” (3). Consider the words of Simon J. Robinson, who says, “If a man is working every available hour to finance an extravagant lifestyle, his sights are set on this world and he won’t be qualified to lead people who belong to the kingdom of heaven” (Opening Up Commentary, 59). 

This is about character, about how a leader in God’s house deals with himself and devotes himself to God. How serious does he take his Christian life? Does he practice what he wants preached?

The overseer’s relationship with those in his home.Often, in searching for potential elders, we give undue and inordinate attention to these qualifications to the neglect of the nine in that first category. To the point, I have known more men who struggled with their temper and their relationship with their money than whose marriages and homes were disaster areas. However, these qualities are fixed and fulsome. 

As with the personal qualities, the home qualities begins with a generic, overarching principle. He is to “manage his own household well” (4;  ‘Manage’ is all about leading and giving a sense of direction, Robinson, 59).  How does he do this? He operates from the principle of dignity, behavior which naturally leads to his having the respect of others. The specific way he does this, contextually, is by “keeping his children submissive” (4; Ti. 1:6–“Having children who believe”). We have already seen what kind of husband he should be (2). 

The overseer’s relationship with the congregation.There is a warm, loving, and open relationship with other members proven by his leadership in hospitality (2). In the first-century, this meant “descriptive of practical kindness paid especially to strangers, often in the sharing of food and drink, lodging, and provision” (Anderson, Lexham Theo. Wdbk., np). It is more than just the willingness to open his home to close friends he is comfortable with. He sees all that he has, including his house and resources, as a God-given entity to share. 

There is a spiritual and biblical aspect to his relationship with the congregation. He is “able to teach,” so that they can give instruction on the meaning of God’s message. There is no inherent expectation that this can only be done publicly, but it does indicate skillfulness with the word of righteousness (cf. Heb. 5:11-14). 

In verse six, we see that he must not be a new convert. However quick a study he is, he will lack the spiritual discernment required of a spiritual leadership until he has had the time to season, grow, and mature in the faith (6). 

The overseer’s relationship with the community. There is no laundry-list of characteristics here, but one sobering, generic expectation. Paul says, “he must be well thought of by outsiders” (7). His own spiritual influence and, implicitly, that of the church is at stake. He cannot fail to have the respect of the non-Christians where he lives, goes to work, and interacts. He will never be one held up in scorn by an outsider who observes, “If that’s what it means to be a Christian, count me out.” 

These qualifications are purposeful. As is stated with the home qualifications, a man proves his aptitude to oversee the local church by mastering these qualities. He foreshadows the kind of church leader he will be by how he conducts himself, leads his family, treats the church, and interacts with the world. He won’t be perfect, but he also won’t be waving a handful of red flags either. Twice, Paul points out how the devil is keen to harm the church through this office. The devil would love to condemn (6) and ensnare (7) whomever he can, and the greater a man’s influence the more damage he can do through his fall and failing. 

Heaven will be filled with men and women influenced to be there by the example, efforts, and effectiveness of elders. Without the benefit of formal training often afforded to preachers, overseers bring the wealth of life’s experiences as a child of God to bear in guiding and influencing the direction of the church. They are mindful that the church is God’s house, and it must be led to follow His rules. They set the tone and expectations. They demonstrate the wisdom of God’s pattern and plan. As goes the leadership, so goes the church!