1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Series on the epistles of Paul (118)

Good evening, brethren. Paul, in his instructive letter to Timothy, he encourages the ministry to teach, in the specific case of this letter, he encourages Timothy, but basically it applies to, as always, ministers to teach the brethren no other doctrine than the one that Christ has taught us.

The church in Ephesus was being influenced by Gnostic influence, and that had caused some to go astray from sound doctrine, the doctrine which was according to the glorious gospel of Christ, the gospel of God. And so Paul says that we need to be fighting the good fight of faith and conscience to remain faithful till the end that we see in 1 Timothy 1 verses 3 to 18.

Timothy exhausted us to pray for all people, and he desired that the man pray everywhere with holy hands, without wrath and doubting due to inward reasoning and questioning of what is true. Likewise, he desired the ladies to adorn themselves of modesty, reverence, and moderation.

And in verse 12 of 1 Timothy chapter 2, he says a woman should not be teaching doctrine in church of a man. The woman's God-given role is not inferior, it's just different. Her role is to take care and the home and also to train God's future children, her own children, raise them up in a way that it's pleasing to God to His glory, as we see in 1 Timothy 5 verse 14, which says, therefore, I desire that younger widows marry, their children, manage the house, give no opportunity to adversary to speak approachfully, for some have already turned aside after Satan. And so we see there that Paul is instructing Timothy and the ladies that have a responsibility to manage the house and to raise up children in a way that will be to God's glory.

Godly woman, therefore, have an important responsibility in their families and also in the local congregation. There are many actions and activities of service in church that women provide great and very, very helpful assistance to the congregation.

But Paul is basically talking about a godly order of authority in the kingdom.

It is all about, let's call it just, headship. Because we read in 1 Corinthians 11 verse 3, 1 Corinthians 11 verse 3, and we get to it. It says, But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. So there is this relationship here. The head of Christ is God.

The head of the church and of man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man. So there is this order, godly order of authority, which is the order that he has in his kingdom and in the way that he wants it to be. So the teacher of doctrine, as we can see, and it's been discussed previously in previous Bible studies, the teacher of doctrine is an office appointed by God, and not all men, even not all men, are to teach doctrine. And that is the theme, basically, of this next chapter, chapter 3 of Timothy, which is that in the Apoll, it deals more extensively than in any other section of scripture with the qualities needed to serve in the ministry, whether there are qualities as a deacon or as an elder.

While in the the New Testament ministry, as its origins of ministry and service from the Old Testament priesthood and Levites, the New Testament ministry is not a revised version of the priesthood of the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, thou serve in serving in a ministerial capacity where physical descendants of Levi. In the New Testament, physical lineage is not important because service in the church is based on certain qualities and gifts that God provides to every person. These qualities and these specific gifts that God gives does not mean that one person is more righteous than another. They are just simply qualities that God has decided to give to some people versus other qualities that God has decided to give other people. And so some people have talents and gifts and capabilities for serving one way while other people may have talents and gifts and abilities to serve in other areas. So the question may then mean or be why do we need certain qualifications to be ordained? You know, it's a fair question. First, it's a very logical first is that a minister is more visible. He represents the church and therefore not only to the members but also to others outside. And therefore his example must be one that adheres to godly standards that are standards that are to God's glory. And so a minister of Jesus Christ must adhere to those standards that Christ expects us to have. And so the second situation is, in a sense, a logical flow from the previous one is that the minister must be an example, must lead by example, not just be an example but lead by example. And so the membership, they know that they can look to the minister as an example in various areas. It does not mean the ministry is perfect but the minister's lives demonstrate a certain level of commitment, of effort, and accomplishment. In other words, in desiring or in striving to be like Christ.

Additionally, the ministry, and let's put that in third place, is not a position of prestige or of power or political power or maneuvering to have power. No, the ministry is a position of service based on qualifications of service, not based on any influence or political maneuvering. Fourth, those that have a desire to serve in a ministerial capacity, as we read in verse one of chapter three, as we'll read shortly, it gives them, with this list, an opportunity to evaluate their lives and see where they need to grow. And in fact, all of us with these lists, we examine them and we say, well, we still need to grow more in this area or that area. We all look at it with that intention to grow and to become better. On the other side, those that are responsible, and that is a fifth point, those that are responsible for ordaining future elders and ministers, they have a list of what is important to God, what qualities are important to God. And so, we can use this list to look at the qualities of different people for ordaining, and therefore, we are not going to be swayed by appearances or by certain personalities that may come across more impressive. Sixthly, in sixth place, it helps all of us to understand what is the role of a minister and how through those roles, how they should relate to different members. And last but not least, some of the qualities also show that the ministry is not for every person, not for every man, because not every man may have all those talents or those capabilities. For instance, not every person may be the, in other words, the best skilled teacher or apt to teach. And so, yes, we all need to have most of these qualities one way or another, but not everybody must have every single quality because people could serve in other capacities. People can serve the church in many other capacities. And so, once again, the office of an elder is not one of superiority, but it is an office of service. And those serving must maintain a certain level of spiritual skills and strive to grow in those spiritual skills to fulfill that service to the church. And so, with that as a background, let's now read verse 1. It says, chapter 3, first Timothy 3, verse 1. This is a faithful saying, if a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires the good work. And so, a faithful saying, in fact, it's one of the five times that this expression is used in the pastoral epistles. It's used in verse 15.

This is a faithful saying of chapter 1, 1 Timothy 1, 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of all man, chief. So, we can see that these faithful sayings are something that Paul is drawing his attention to. It's something that Paul is saying this is very important for us to focus on.

In a sense, it's a true doctrine, true teaching. It's not questionable. It's not controversial.

There's no doubt about this. It's simple and plain truth. The other example is where it's used as a faithful saying. It's in this chapter, verse 1. But then, the next time, the third time it's used is in chapter 4, verse 9, where it says, this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance. And so, again, it's just something that is not questionable, and what follows is very important. In 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 11, again, he uses that expression where it says, this is a faithful saying, for if we died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we are faithless, God remains faithful. He cannot deny himself. So, yes, a lot of things we gotta be like God.

But if we are missing on those things, we need to change. We need to change. And it just says, we need to be faithful. So, and then the last section, or the last, the fifth time, this expression, this is a faithful saying, is in Titus 3 verse 8, which says, this is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to all people.

And so, in 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 1, when he's saying, this is a faithful saying, this is an important statement, that if you desire to be or to have a position of leadership, of being somebody that looks after the others, like an elder, that is a good thing.

He desires a good work. Now, the word desires is not saying or condoning a kind of naked ambition for personal prestige. It's not about that, but it's encouraging those that desire to serve their brethren to live the high standards required. So, if one desires, it has this intent, desire to serve. Yeah is a list of things that that person needs to focus on.

We as the first fruits to be, we are now the first fruits, the first that have received the God's Holy Spirit. We are the first fruits of the Spirit, but at Christ's coming, those that remain faithful till the end, Christ's coming, which is symbolized by trumpets, we will then be changed to the first fruits of God, will then become the first fruits of God. And so, once we are in the kingdom of God, we all will have responsibilities of leadership in the kingdom of God. So, we all need to, in a way, look at these characteristics, even if maybe we don't have one talent or the other, or one skill or the other. These principles are applicable to all of us. It's a standard of behavior that we all need to strive to attain. And then he says, he that desires this position, desires a good work. In other words, desires a noble task or a noble occupation, but it is a work. It is labor. It's not easy work. It is hard work, but it's a different type of work. It's a noble work. Now, some people say, oh well, therefore we all are our priests. We all are or oversee us. Well, not necessarily. Ministry is a calling. Let's look at Acts 20. Acts 20 verse 24. Hects 20 verse 24. It says, but none of these things move me, nor do I count my life clear. I'll be part of my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And so, the ministry which I have received, and so Paul is saying that he has received a ministry from God. So, it is a calling. It is a responsibility. Let's look also at Romans chapter 1 verse 1. Romans chapter 1 verse 1. Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of Christ. So he was called. He was given this responsibility. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 1, he says basically the same thing. 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 1. It says Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and so and so Sosthenes our brother. In other words, it's a calling. Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 6. Second Corinthians chapter 3 verse 6.

It says here, who made as sufficient as ministers of the new covenant? God made as ministers, as diaconos or servants of the new covenant. God has made us.

And look at 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12, which we looked at previously. 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12, where it reads, and I thank Jesus Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, putting me into the ministry. So the ministry is a calling. If you desire to be a minister, if you desire to be a servant, he has a list of things for you to work. But to actually be an elder, that is a position appointed by God. And indeed, God wants ministers to lead his congregations, these different church areas. Look at Acts 14 verse 23. Acts 14 verse 23.

Acts 14 verse 23. And so when they had appointed elders in every church and prayed and fastened, so they appointed them and they prayed for them with fasting, they commanded them to the Lord in whom they had believed. And so, yeah, we have they, Paul and Timothy, appointed elders. Look at Acts 20 verse 28. Acts 20 verse 28. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, amongst which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to shepherd the Church of God. And the Eisen instance, where the actual church is actually named the Church of God. And so he says, yeah, God, through the power of his Holy Spirit, has made you overseers to shepherd the Church of God. Also, in Ephesians chapter 4, Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 and 12. Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 and 12. He, that's Christ himself, gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.

For what? For the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, of service, for the building, for the edifying of the body of Christ, which is the Church of God. And then we have Titus chapter 1 verse 5. Titus chapter 1 verse 5. Titus chapter 1 verse 5. And it says, for this reason, I left you in Crete that you should set in order the things that are lacking and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. So whatever Paul appointed, told him to appoint elders, that's where he was, had a job to do that. So God intends these congregations to be led by Godly elders and let's call it overseers. God calls the ministry, but ultimately the leadership, the head of the Church, is Christ. And thanks to God, thanks to God. And then now Paul goes in chapter 3 starting from verse 3 to verse 7. He starts organizing his instruction and basically four groups. The first group is about the individual personal conduct of a minister.

The second group, verse 4 and 5, is more along the family conduct, which connects it then also in verse 5 and 6 to the conduct that will impact or affect the Church. And last but not least in verse 7, his conduct or reputation with society as a whole, with the world. And so the first group are more, as I mentioned, different characteristics which are related to his personal conduct.

And that's where he gives more examples and that's in verses 2 and 3. So he says, A bishop then must be blameless. In other words, a minister must be one that has good character.

There is no grounds to be accused by others when people look at situations in history of his life.

There's no grounds for accusation beyond reproach. So a minister must be blameless.

Secondly, he says the husband of one wife. Now, some people sometimes get a little bit confused with that, but it just basically means that he's a one-woman man. In other words, it's not that he's got, obviously, that he hasn't got two wives, but it does not mean that he can't be remarried. For instance, he was a widow. Or, for instance, if in the past the wife left the faith and there are situations where Paul explains that, where that is a reason for separation and divorce.

But he is the husband of one wife, a one-woman man. And he is an example of being faithful to his wife. Then he says temperate. Temperate is a person that is calm, that has self-control and clarity of mind in situations that are difficult. He acts with wisdom and caution. You know, as an elder sometimes, you encounter situations where one has to be cautious before one makes a decision. He must act with self-control and clarity of mind.

So those are characteristics for a bishop. He's got to be temperate. Next one is sober-minded. Sober-minded is a person that is serious, he's earnest, he's restrained, he's disciplined, and a person that is reasonable. You can actually discuss with him and, in a sense, it's temperate, it's balanced, it's sound-minded, sound-minded, and then of good behavior. A person that is orderly, is dignified, is well arranged, his life is well ordered, he conducts himself properly, he's got good behavior. So that is something to look for in a person to be ordained or something that we all need to strive for, one way or another, but even more so in a minister of God. Then hospitable. He's fond, he loves, he enjoys offering hospitality, he loves being with strangers or loves going and being with different people. And so this is an area also of that some people have more talents than others, but it's somebody that is fond of offering that hospitality.

Then is able to teach. It's a person that is able, let's say it's skilled in teaching. Now, it's not necessarily that is one of the best preachers, because he says he's able to teach.

Therefore, that could be one-on-one or publicly, but one of his strengths is skilled in teaching. So normally, yes, that could be publicly or could be individually, but his style is more of a very competent teacher. That's why in Ephesians says, you know, God's given to us pastors and teachers, which implies that a pastor should be a teacher as well. Next one in verse 3 is 1st Timothy 3 verse 3, not given to wine and not over drinking. He doesn't kind of drink a lot, doesn't say he doesn't drink at all, but you know, he drinks very, very, what's it, controlled in a limited way and he's not given to it, not over drinking. He does not behave incorrectly with wine, so he's careful with that. Then the next one is not violent. He's a person that is not contentious. He's a person who's not a bully. He's not a person. He's not a combative person.

So, I mean, sometimes you get some people who come across and when they come to you, it's very combative. The very first thing is combative and comes across, they come across as like quick-tempered and that's the thing a minister must not be. He must not be contentious or combative, not a bully. When he goes and visits, he doesn't, if the person offends him, the member, he's not gonna strike back immediately. He says, well, you know, he's not contentious, he's not violent. So how he treats members in difficult situations, therefore, is very important because that's the characteristic that he has that he's not violent. Then he says, not greedy for money.

In other words, not setting the heart on making money more, more, more, not greedy, not eager to gain. So that's another characteristic of one that that is a minister or those are the characteristics one should have. Then the next one is gentle. Gentle is one that is more also related with meekness, teachability, but in this case is more related to forbearing, fair, mild, not unduly rigorous, but he's gentle. And then he's got quarrelsome, not quarrelsome, which is very similar to not being violent. In other words, it's not one that is fighting, does not go around with a chip on his shoulder. He's more of a peaceable, is not arguing back and forth. So he's not quarrelsome.

And then not covetous. In other words, not one that that is greedy, wants different things, more of this, more of that, whatever it is, or just plain, deep pure and simply money. It doesn't just is not a money lover, and it just is not covetous. So these characteristics, verse 2 and 3, were related to characteristics more of a personal conduct. Now in verse 4 and into verse 5, is more related to the conduct at home, his family conduct.

And so he says in verse 4, one who rules his own house well, and so is God his goal? What's his goal? He's to rule his house well for what purpose? To produce godly children. In other words, it says having his children in submission with all reverence.

So having faithful children. Look at Titus chapter 1, verse 6. Let's see how Titus, in the similar context, how he puts this specific expression, ruling well his own house, and then he says having his children in submission with all reverence. In Titus 1, verse 6, it says, if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

In other words, the children are faithful. And so the implication here is, as you are able to raise godly children, you will then be qualifying yourself to help in the church, to help the church to develop the brethren to grow as godly adults in the church. In other words, if one cannot take care of his own house well, how can that person take care of God's people? That's why then verse 5 is like a verse that also introduces the need for the minister to have proper church conduct.

So the first section, verse 2 and 3, was related to personal conduct. Verse 4 into verse 5 was more related to family conduct. And now verse 5 and 6 more towards church conduct. And therefore, now we go on to verse 6.

And verse 6 says, not a novice. Or a novice is a newly-converted, inexperienced, must have depth and experience. It is interesting that as I go into different areas, and particularly in the Portuguese area, because I have, I interface with those that are first coming into the truth more so than maybe a normal pastor, because a normal pastor in a congregation, most of his interaction is with members already in the church.

But as dealing more with people that are in the world and starting to ask questions, like initial questions into the church and into the truth, I found a lot of people say right at the beginning, they don't even know the truth, and they say, I want to be a minister. I want to be a pastor. What is the course that I need to do to become a pastor? And I always think of the scripture, not a novice.

You know, these people don't even know the truth. They don't even practice or live or are an example of the truth, and they want to teach others. It just boggles my mind, this mindset. And so I have to gently and kindly tell them, you know, I appreciate your desire, but I would like to help you first to start living and learn more about it, because, you know, it's like a teacher at school. You have to graduate.

You have to know the subject before you can teach it. And so for you to effectively teach, it is important for you to love it and to understand it. So I would encourage you first, let's work together and let's grow in this path of living the Christian way, the way of life that Christ shows us. And then over time, we'll look at that. Or quite often, they just disappear. They just do not continue with their interest, because, you know, they were wanting power or whatever. I don't want to prejudge them, but it's just sad that people coming in and I even find sometimes some new people coming into the church says, oh, well, what?

Wow, I want to be a minister. Wait, wait, wait. Let's just learn things. And the longer they start being in the church, they're realizing how little that they know and how much more they need to learn. And then they realize, I'm not ready to teach. So it is a very powerful statement, this one, about not a novice.

It's one that strikes me very, very forcefully in my mind. And then he says, he continues, lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

And so, yeah, we have the danger. If we ordain a person that is not, let's call it very experienced, it actually could, could, I'm not saying will, but could lead to go up to his head to make one proud. And that pride blinds a person. The person becomes conceited, becomes big-headed, and it is for the individuals good, quite often, to just go slow. Go slow, take it easy. Now, let's just give it more time. And it's good for people to serve for a number of years before, quote unquote, getting a title. It's good because it teaches us to serve because we want to serve. And then it says, lest he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. In other words, the same accusation as a devil. What did the devil become? He became a slanderer. He became a false accuser. And think about it. What was Lucifer or the one that became known as Lucifer? What was his problem? Problem that he was most beautiful, great, great in beauty, very intelligent, very bright in intelligence, great musician. And that went up to his head and started accusing others. He started causing the vision. And so it is good to allow a person to not promote him too quickly because that gives time for different things to be tested. It gives time for different things to be tested.

And so now we get to the fourth group, which is in the verse 7, which is the conduct with the world.

And yeah, we read, let me just read verse 7. It says, moreover, it must be, it must have a good testimony amongst those who are outside. In other words, it must have a good name, a good reputation amongst those that are outside. Now, it is good to know how that person is seen at work in a society, maybe with other people that he's dealt with, because that shows something about that person, some character. Is the person got a good name in his company, in his job, or is he always a troublemaker? Quote-unquote. And so having a good testimony, and having a good witness, having good fruits, even outside in the world, it is good because it shows his fruits under difficult situations.

Let's look at Proverbs chapter 3 verse 3 and 4. Proverbs chapter 3 verse 3 and 4. Proverbs chapter 3 verse 3 and 4.

It says, Let not mercy and truth forsake you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and esteem in the sight of God and man. In other words, if this person's got these attributes of character, he will get favor. He'll get a good name. You'll get a good reputation in the sight of God and in the sight of people in the world.

So that is very important to have, as it says here, a good testimony amongst those who are outside. Lest he fall into reproach, and so lest he fall into discredit, defamation, insults. Oh, how can they put this person? How can he be a minister?

Look how he treats people at work or whatever. So then you would be discredited.

He would be subject to the defamation or insults. And then lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. In other words, lest he fall into the snare of the devil. What is that?

The snare is a trap. A trap is anything that brings danger, that brings loss, that brings destruction. And so if he does not have a good reputation, a good testimony with those in the world, that would then bring, put him in a position that that he will have a loss and he'll fall into a trap. And then in verse 8 says, likewise deacons. Well, that is what will continue next week.