What Are the Required Qualifications for Elders? Part 1

The Bible uses a few different words to describe the same position, depending upon the particular English translation:

Bishop/Overseer:  These two are based on the Greek words episkopos or episkope.

Presbyter/Elder:  These two are based on the Greek word presbueros.  

Pastor.  This word, poimen, merely means “shepherd.” It is used metaphorically for what the elders are to do with their “flock.”  Over the centuries it has taken on the meaning as a title of an elder, usually the senior or teaching elder in an assembly, depending on the government of the individual body.

The point here is that four words mean the same person, while the fifth — although used more as a title — reflects the duties of an elder in a metaphoric way.

Two passages in the New Testament tell us what the requirements are for the position of Elder.  I’m going to use the Holman Christian Standard Bible version for examining them, but will note many other versions in my commentary for examples of other translations.

1 Timothy 3:2-7

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy -- 4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil's trap.

Titus 1:6-9

. . . one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God's administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

There are 16 individual qualification cited in 1 Timothy and 15 in Titus (but one, “blameless” cited twice).  Let’s look at them all individually, first from 1 Timothy. (Definitions of the Greek are taken from Vine’s Dictionary.)

1 Timothy 3:2

“above reproach.”  The Greek word here is anepileptos: literally, "that cannot be laid hold of," hence, "not open to censure, irreproachable”.  The KJV says “blameless,” while the NLT says “a man whose life cannot be spoken against.”

“husband of one wife.”  The NAS says, “married only once.” The Jewish N.T. says ‘faithful to his wife”

“self-controlled.”  The Greek word here is nephalios: “temperate.”  Several versions use “temperate,” KJV says “vigilant,” REB, GWN, TEV all use “sober.”

“sensible.”  The Greek is sophron: "of sound mind, self-controlled.” A few versions use “self-controlled,” while NAS says “prudent,” KJV “sober,” New Berkley Version “discreet,” Moffatt “master of himself,” Beck “of good judgment.”

“respectable.”  Greek kosmios: an adjective signifying "decent, modest, orderly.”  KJV says “of good behavior,” New American Bible says “decent,” Berkley and the CEV say “well-behaved,” RSV says “dignified,” Moffatt “unruffled,” Twentieth Century NT “well-ordered life,” Beck “of fine behavior,” Revised English Bible “courteous,” Jewish NT and TEV “orderly.”

“hospitable.” Greek philoxenos: "hospitable", "love of strangers" (philos, "loving", xenos "a stranger”).  Many versions say “hospitable.”  KJV says, “given to hospitality,” NLT “enjoy having guests in his home,” Beck “kind to guests,” CEV “friendly to strangers,” TEV “must welcome strangers in his home.”

“an able teacher.”  The Greek is didaktikos: "skilled in teaching.” Many versions say “able to teach,” KJV says “apt to teach,” Berkley “qualified to teach,” REB “good teacher.”

1 Timothy 3:3

“not addicted to wine.”  Greek paroinos: lit., "tarrying at wine" (para, "at", oinos, “wine”).  Variations are “not given to drunkenness,” “not be a heavy drinker,” “not a drunkard,” “not drink excessively.”

“not a bully.” Greek plektes: "a striker, a brawler.”  “not violent” (NIV, Beck, TEV), “no striker” (KJV), “not be given to…brawling" (REB), “not...be a violent person” (GWN).

“gentle.”  Greek epieikes: denotes "seemly, fitting"; hence, "equitable, fair, moderate, forbearing, not insisting on the letter of the law"; it expresses that considerateness that looks "humanely and reasonably at the facts of a case.”  Variations are “patient,” “genial,” “of a forbearing disposition” (REB).

“not quarrelsome.”  Greek amachos: lit., "not fighting" (a, negative, mache, "a fight"), came to denote, metaphorically, "not contentious”.  NAS “uncontentious,” KJV “not a brawler,” Berkley “conciliatory,” JNT “not…get into fights,”

“not greedy.”  Greek aphilarguros: lit., "not money-loving" (a, negative, philarguros, “money-loving”).  “not a lover of money” (NIV, NAB, JNT), “free from the love of money” (NAS), “not after money” (NBV), “not avaricious” (REB).

1 Timothy 3:4

“one who manages his own household competently.”  “manage his own family well” (NIV, NLT, Beck, GWN, TEV), “ruleth well his own house” (KJV), “presiding well over his own home” (NBV)

“able to manage his own household properly” (Mof) “be in control of their own families” (CEV).

“having his children under control with all dignity.”  “see that his children obey him with proper respect (NIV) “having his children in subjection with all gravity” (KJV), “keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way” (RSV), “whose children are kept under control and well-behaved” (TCNT).

1 Timothy 3:6

“not be a new convert”.  “not a novice” (KJV),  “be mature in the faith” (TEV)

1 Timothy 3:7

“have a good reputation among outsiders.”  “have a good reputation with those outside the church (NAS), “have a good report of them which are without” (KJV)

Notice in the stated qualifications, Paul gives the reasons for three of them:

1.  v. 5 gives as the reason that he must manage his own family and see that his children obey him:  “If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?”

2.  v. 6b tells us the reason he can't be a new Christian: “he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.”

3.  v. 7b tells us why he must have a good reputation with those outside the church: “so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil's trap.”

Titus 1:6

“blameless”.  Greek anenkletos: signifies "that which cannot be called to account", i.e., with nothing laid to one's charge (as the result of public investigation).  “above reproach” (NAS, NBV) “well thought of for his good life” (NLT), “unimpeachable character” (REB), “have a good reputation” (GWN CEV), “without fault” (TEV).

“husband of one wife” Same as 1 Tim 3:2.  “married only once” (NAB), “has one wife” (Beck)

“having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion.”  “whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient” (NIV), “having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion” (NAS), “having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly” (KJV), “with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebelliousness” (NAB)

Titus 1:7

“blameless”  Same as vs. 6.

“not arrogant.” Greek authades: "self-pleasing" (auto, "self," hedomai, "to please"), denotes one who, dominated by self-interest, and inconsiderate of others, arrogantly asserts his own will, “self-willed.”  “not overbearing” (NIV, REB),  “not self-willed” (NAS, KJV, NBV, JNT), “not do as he pleases” (Beck), “not be a stubborn…person" (GWN), “not bossy” (CEV).

“not hot-tempered.” Greek orgilos: "angry, prone to anger, irascible.”  “not soon angry” (KJV), “not irritable” (NAB, GWN).

“not addicted to wine.”   Same as 1 Tim. 3:3.

“not a bully.”  Same as 1 Tim. 3:3.

“not greedy for money.”  Greek aischronkerdes: denotes "greedy of base gains.” “not pursuing dishonest gain” (NIV), “not fond of sordid gain” (NAS), “not given to filthy lucre” (KJV), “no money-grubber” (REB), “not use shameful ways to make money” (GWN), “not...dishonest in business” (CEV).

Titus 1:8

“hospitable.”  Same as 1 Tim 3:2.

“loving what is good.”  Greek philagathos: "loving that which is good.”  “lover of goodness” (NAB), “right-minded” (REB).

“sensible.”  Same as 1 Tim 3:2.

“righteous.”  Greek dikaios: was first used of persons observant of dike, "custom, rule, right," especially in the fulfillment of duties towards gods and men, and of things that were in accordance with right. The Eng. word "righteous" was formerly spelt "rightwise," i.e., (in a) straight way.  In the NT it denotes "righteous," a state of being right, or right conduct, judged whether by the divine standard, or according to human standards, of what is right.  “upright” (NIV, TEV), “just” (NAS, KJV, NAB, REB), “fair” (NLT, NBV, GWN, CEV).

“holy.”  Greek hosios: signifies "religiously right, holy,”...  “devout” (NAS, NLT, REB), “moral” (GWN), 

“self-controlled.”  Greek enkrates: denotes "exercising self-control.”  “temperate” (KJV)

Titus 1:9

“holding to the faithful message as taught”  “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught” (NIV), “have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught” (NLT), “must keep hold of the true doctrine” (REB).

Vs 9 gives a reason for this qualification:  “so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.”

OKAY!  If we blend all the requirements of the 1 Timothy and Titus passages together, we have the following qualifications:

1.  A man who is above reproach, whose life cannot be spoken against, is of unquestionable integrity,  unimpeachable character.  1 Tim. 3:2, Tit. 1:6,7

2.  A husband of but one wife and faithful to his wife.  1 Tim. 3:2, Tit. 1:6

3.  A man who is circumspect and temperate.  1 Tim. 3:2

4.  A man who is self-controlled, prudent, discreet, sensible, and of good judgment.  A man who is disciplined. 1 Tim. 3:2, Tit. 1:8

5.  A man who is respectable, decent, courteous, well behaved and dignified and leads an orderly (disciplined) life.1 Tim. 3:2

6.  A man who is hospitable - showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, opening his house freely to guests.  1 Tim. 3:2, Tit. 1:8

7.  A man who is a capable and qualified teacher.  1 Tim. 3:2

8.  A man who does not drink excessively.  1 Tim. 3:3, Tit.1:7

9.  A man who is not pugnacious - not given to brawling. 1 Tim. 3:3, Tit. 1:7

10.  A man who is gentle, considerate, and patient. 1 Tim. 3:3

11.  A man who is not quarrelsome or a troublemaker.  1 Tim. 3:3

12.  A man who is not a lover of money, nor does he pursue dishonest gain.  1 Tim. 3:3, Tit. 1:7

13.  A man who manages his own family properly. 1 Tim. 3:4

14.  A man whose children obey him with proper respect, are submissive and well-behaved.  1 Tim. 3:4

15.  A man whose children are believers and are well-trained. They are not open to the charge of being loose in morals and conduct or of being unruly, disorderly or rebellious.  Tit. 1:6

16.  A man who is not a new Christian.  1 Tim. 3:6

17.  A man who has a good reputation with those of the outside world.  1 Tim. 3:7

  

18.  A man who is not overbearing, self-willed, arrogant or presumptuous.  Tit. 1:7

19.  A man who does not get angry easily.  Tit. 1:7

20.  A man who loves good people and good things, and is devoted to good.  Tit. 1:8

21.  A man who is just, fair-minded.  Tit. 1:8

22.  A man who is holy and devoted to holiness. Tit. 1:8

23.  A man who is knowledgeable in the Word and holds firmly in his belief to sound doctrine.  Tit. 1:9

Now that we have looked at the Biblical qualifications for elder, my next post will examine the qualification which cause controversy.