AN EDIFYING ELDER

1 Timothy 3: 1-7

 by Rev. Richard Jones

An Edifying Elder

1 Timothy 3: 1-7

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

The Elder Regarding Himself

1 Timothy 3: 1-3

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

The Elder Regarding His Family

1 Timothy 3: 4-5

4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

The Elder Regarding His Church

1 Timothy 3: 6

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The Elder Regarding His Community

1 Timothy 3: 7

7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.