1 Timothy 3:1-13 (1)

It is clear, both from Israel and the Church, that God places a high priority on leadership.  The prophet, priest and king in Israel served as God’s representatives to shepherd His flock.  The elders and deacons served as Christ’s representatives in the Church.  Elders were also called Bishops (Overseers) and Shepherds (Pastors), titles that were first applied to Christ (1 Peter 2:25; 5:4).  And in Jesus’ own teaching on leadership (Mark 10:42-45), He noted that He did not come to be served but to serve, Greek diakonos from which we get deacon.  

The three titles emphasize the maturity (elders), task (overseer) and people-orientation (shepherd) of leadership.  These men serve Christ, and thus would give account to Christ.  They were His undershepherds caring for His flock. So more than just titles, note  how strongly connected they are to Christ.  

·        Leaders are to have Christ-like character.  This is the primary point of today’s passage.  Following is a list of those qualities, most with brief comment, which will carry over into our next study.  This list is quite similar to one in Titus 1:5-9.  The presence of two such lists emphasizes the fact that godly leadership is important, and that there were to be these overseers in every local church.

OVERSEERS (v2-7)
blameless	not primarily known for an area of sin
husband of one wife	one-woman-man
temperate	balanced
sober-minded
of good behavior	proper, used in 2:9
hospitable	Heb 13:2
able to teach	only skill in the list
not given to wine	not one who sets his mind on his wine
not violent	not a bully, pushing people around
gentle
not quarrelsome	peaceable
not covetous/not greedy for money	Hb 13:5; his life does not revolve around possessions or wealth
Rules his own house well	there is order in his home
Having his children in submission with all rev.	respectfulness/dignity applies to the man in the way he deals w/his children
not a novice	or else he becomes open to conceit
good testimony among those who are outside	see 1Th 4:12; 1Co 10:32; Col 4:5 on reputation

Since all believers are called to Christ-likeness this list has value for each of us.  Meditate on these things.  May our leaders be good examples for us to follow.