Elder

Qualifications1 TIMOTHY 3 / TITUS 1

“Blameless” (1t, T)

“without reproach” – AS

This does not mean perfect

This means that the man has such a moral quality

that he does not bring shame or in anyway

disgrace the body of Christ

“Good report of them which are without”

“Good testimony among those who are outside”

(1t) –NKJ

“lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

“the Husband of one wife”

(1t, T)

Not one who is a polygamist?

“One-Woman Man”

Focus is on loyalty and moral purity

Not one who has ever divorced or has become a widower?

Even if a man has been scripturally divorced can his

influence still be effected?

Is he still “blameless”/“without reproach”?

Does he have a “good testimony among those who are outside”?

“having faithful children not

accused of riot or unruly” (T)

“Faithful”

“having faithful children” – NKJ

“having children that believe” – ASV

“whose children are believers” – NRSV

“having children who believe” - NASB

“whose children believe” – NIV

If the children are Christians then the man has

proven he has the ability to raise others in the

training and admonition of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)

“having faithful children not

accused of riot or unruly” (T)

“dissipation or insubordination” – NKJ

Dissipation (asotia) – an abandoned, dissolute life; indulgence in sensual pleasure

Insubordination (anupotaktos) – disobedient, unruly

These attributes in the children would cause doubt to believe that the father could serves as an Elder

“One that rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (1t) –NKJ

“(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)”

“Children” – (tekna)

(teckna) can be used for children and child

Luke 20:28 – “Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If

any man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies

without children, that his brother should take his

wife, and raise up seed and to his brother.”

1 Tim. 5:4 – “But if any widow has children or

nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home,

and to requite their parents: for that is good and

acceptable before God.

Titus 2:4 – “That they may teach the young women

to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their

children.”

“faithful Children”

Do all the children have to be Christians?

Instead of trying to use ratios lets instead ask why is

a child not a Christian?

Is it because he or she is not accountable?

Is it because the child has not been trained well?

There is a difference between a child that

immediately becomes unfaithful after leaving home,

and a child that becomes unfaithful twenty years after

leaving home

Is there without a doubt that the parent is

“blameless”?

“Vigilant”(1t)

“Temperate” – NKJ, AS

This man has the ability to be focused

“Temperate” (T)

“self-controlled” – NKJ, AS

He has the ability to be self-controlled and stay on

task

The role of an Elder requires a lot of work

“no striker” (1t, T)

“not violent” – NKJ

“not a brawler” (1t)

“not quarrelsome”- NKJ

“not contentious” – AS

“not soon angry” (T)

“not quick-tempered” – NKJ

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

– Prov. 25:28

“Sober”(1t,T)

“Sober-minded”- NKJ, AS

He has a clear mind and is aware of his surroundings

“Not given to wine”(1t)

“Of good behavior”(1t)

“orderly’ – AS

“A lover of good men” (1t)

“a lover of what is good” – NKJ

“Given to hospitality” (1t)

“hospitable” – NKJ

“a lover of hospitality” (T)

“hospitable” – NKJ

“given to hospitality” – AS

Hospitality actually has more to do with doing

good for strangers

“Apt to teach” (1t)

“able to teach” – NKJ

This man can effectively teach privately and

publically.

“Exhort and to convince the gainsayers (T)

“exhort and convict” – NJK, AS

He can protect the flock with the Sword of the Spirit

“not covetous” (1t)

“no lover of money” – AS

“not greedy of filthy lucre” (1t, T)

“not greedy for money” – NKJ

This man is not attached to the things of this world

He loves the Lord our God with all his heart, soul,

strength, and mind

“Patient” (1t)

“gentle” – NKJ, AS

One who has a spirit of gentleness and patience is

Approachable

“not self-willed” (T)

HUMILITY

All decisions that are made are not about our way

or my way but all about His way

“Not a novice” (1t)

Spiritual Maturity

Maturity in Age

Am I too young?

“Just” (T)

Same word in all versions

This man shows no partiality

He is the entire Flocks’ shepherd

“Holy” (T)

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been

taught” (T)

“to the faithful word which is according to the

teaching” – AS

This man is someone we can imitate because he

imitates Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1