Sunday, July 25, 2010 am
A
STUDY OF ELDERS (6)
QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS (3)
His Character
Concerning the qualifications we have laid the background noting:
1) the need for
respect for God’s word in
considering who is qualified, 2) the
HIGH quality of character
that these men must possess and that we must set as our standard of
consideration, 3) the importance of
desire in serving, 4) what
it means to be
blameless (not perfect, but one to whom an accusation will not
hold), and 5)
not a novice (noting it does not say an expert either).
Today, as we resume, we continue examining the various
qualifications of the elders.
Rather than listing them in chronological order based upon the
lists in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, we are grouping them into
three categories. We will
examine EVERY quality mentioned in these texts.
The categories that we will examine are as follows:
1)
His
character (blameless,
temperate (Titus - not quick-tempered), sober-minded (both), not
covetous, gentle, not quarrelsome; not self-willed, lover of what is
good, just, holy, self-controlled)
2)
His
actions (blameless,
hospitable, of good behavior, not given to wine(both), not violent,
not greedy for money, good reputation with neighbors and those
outside)
3)
His
leadership (blameless, family
qualities – husband of one wife, rules his house well, children in
submission with all reverence* , able to teach (Titus - holding fast the
faithful words he has been taught… – i.e. conviction), not a novice –
already addressed; faithful children not accused of dissipation or
insubordination)
Today, we will begin by noting the character of an elder.
When we speak of the character of an elder, we are speaking of
his overall disposition.
That which makes him who he is.
It is his integrity and virtue which influences whatever
decisions he might make.
Please note: In addition to these qualities needing to be developed and
present in elders, they need to be the disposition of every Christian.
An elder must be:
a.
There are
several words in this list that have reference to alertness and control.
This is the first.
Together they demonstrate the PRIORITY of such a character
b.
A word
meaning to be sober or self-controlled, especially in respect to wine.
Metaphorically it has reference to one being a watchful type of
person or alert. (WS
Dictionary – Zodihates);
Louw & Nida says, “pertaining to behaving in a sober, restrained
manner.”
c.
An elder
must be a forward thinking person (i.e. one who looks toward resolution)
who reacts wisely based upon all the known facts in a situation.
Such decision making requires a sober and controlled disposition
which looks (shows vigilance or alertness) before acting.
In making decisions, he cannot take his eye off the goal of watching out for the souls of the flock (Heb. 13:17) AND the overall purity of the church
a.
“Discreet,
sober, temperate, of a sound mind…self-disciplined in one’s freedom,
self-restrained in all passions and desires.” (WS dictionary); (Thayer)
defines the word as “of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; b. curbing
one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.”
b.
The word
is found also in Titus 2:2 as a necessary trait of aged men and Titus
2:5 as a trait younger women are to have in their lives (actually it
applies to all people).
c.
This
describes one who is in control of his impulses.
He uses good judgment in making decisions.
While he cannot avoid emotions, he does
not let them rule his decisions.
He takes serious things seriously.
Also in this is one who can make up his mind and act accordingly
(cf. Eph. 4:14 – not tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind
of doctrine…”)
a.
“Fitting,
appropriate, suitable, proper…unassertive” (WS Dict.); Louw & Nida
describe it as “pertaining to being gracious and forbearing.”
Both sources (and most others) make reference to being gentle.
b.
The idea
is that the manner of an elder must not be rough and harsh.
While not the same word, it associates with the idea of meekness
(cf. Matt. 5:5). Think of
the example of Jesus. While
He was harsh in dealing with the openly corrupt and deceptive, He was
gentle, even with sinners in correcting them (Matt. 11:28-29).
c.
It is a
challenge to be both firm and gentle at the same time –but such is a
necessary trait of elders.
Such a disposition engenders trust and respect.
In 1 Peter 5:3 where elders are exhorted to shepherd, not by
lording it over the flock but by being examples, this trait comes to my
mind.
Do not forget the KJV using the word “patient” here either – such is a
part of true gentleness.
a.
“Without
battle…not disposed to fight, not contentious or quarrelsome” (WS
Dictionary);
Louw & Nida, “Pertaining to a lack of conflict and contention
-…peaceful”
b.
This
describes one who doesn’t go around looking for trouble or seeking to
start problems. He should
not be belligerent and one seeking to be controversial.
One author described him as one
who must know how to contend without being contentious.
c. In his service as an elder, he will have his share of troubles and controversy. Therefore, he doesn’t need to cause more problems.
a.
NOTE: The
KJV adds not greedy for filthy lucre, NKJV,
“not greedy for money”.
A term not found in many ancient manuscripts, but it is found in
Titus 1:7 and we will deal with this term in our next lesson as we
address the actions of these men.
In this word we note the character behind the actions.
b.
Thayer
defines the root word of this text as, “loving oneself; too intent on
one’s own interests, selfish.”
WS Dictionary sees this word as one who is “self-centered or
selfish. An undue sparing of
self with the primary concern that things be easy and pleasant for
oneself. The (plilatous) is
one who loves his life so much that he seeks ignobly to save it.”
See 2 Tim. 3:2, “For men will be
lovers of themselves,…”
The word in our text says the elder is NOT like this.
c.
The office
of an elder will put him into an influential position that often comes
with prestige. If he is a
self-centered person, problems are virtually inevitable.
An elder doesn’t ask what he will get out of his decisions,
rather he seeks what is best for the congregation and the one whom he is
working with. Furthermore,
he isn’t going to fully consider God in his decisions either.
Sadly, there are many elders more interested in numbers and material or
worldly goals than they are in seeking God and glorifying Him in His
church. It leads to
compromise AND softening of God’s message.
Is one like this really without covetousness?
a.
WS
Dictionary says of the word self-willed, “one who is pleased with
himself and despises others, insolent, surly, the contrast of courteous
or affable. A person who
obstinately maintains his own opinion or asserts his own rights but is
reckless of the rights, feelings, and interests of others.
He regulates his life with no respect for others.”
Thayer says, “self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant.”
b.
This would
describe one who will reinterpret scriptures to justify what he wants
worship, the church and the Christian life to be.
It describes one who refuses to consider what others have to say
(like Diotrephes – 3 John 9,10) and it describes the one lording it over
the flock (cf. 1 Peter 5:3) or demanding of the members that which is
self-serving, rather than right.
This describes many of the things that were wrong with the
Pharisees in the days of Jesus and the apostles.
c. In discussing the work of elders, we have noted that they are not in it for themselves. Godly elders are not on a power trip. While they firmly stand for the truth (uncompromisingly), they are willing to be flexible in matters of opinion or expediency. Godly elders are not fault-finders and chronic objectors.
a.
Thayer
defines this word (philagathos) as “loving goodness.”
It is descriptive of one who takes pleasure in doing good for
others. It is a derivative
from which the word philanthropy comes from.
b.
The term
good is an interesting word. It is actually a simple term meaning, “good
and benevolent, profitable, useful.”
(WS Dictionary). It
is the opposite of evil. In
a sense it is better than being righteous (which means to do that
required by the law) – cf. Romans 5:7.
I think of 1 Cor. 13:6 describes love as not rejoicing in iniquity, but
rejoicing in truth. In
essence that is the idea of being a lover of what is good.
He approves “the things that are excellent that you may be
sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:10)
c. Such is the ONLY proper attitude of an elder in dealing with others. He must first love God and Christ. Then he must love his brethren and uphold righteousness. He rejoices in all that is good concerning them and is disturbed and saddened when evil prevails whether in their lives or in the world in general. Phil. 1:10
a.
A word
akin to righteousness and means that which is right.
WS Dictionary describes the word, “that which is right,
conformable to right, pertaining to right, that which is just.”
The article proceeds to explain that it is one who acts justly
and right without deficiency or failure.
b.
One who is
just is consistent in his life.
As Zodihates says it “means that one conforms in his actions to
his constitutionally just character.”
c.
God is no
respecter of persons.
Neither can an elder be so.
That does not mean he treats everyone the same way, because everyone is
different, but his standard is consistent and it is fair to all involved
(whether they accept it or not).
Also associated with this is conformity to God’s laws – they must be the
standard used in every decision.
When this is done – there is justice and fairness.
a.
This is
the Greek word hasion, which is different from hagios (which means
separated or consecrated).
But it is a word which often refers to God’s character.
When it is used in reference to man (as in this verse) it
describes one who is, “holy, righteous, unpolluted with wickedness,
right as conformed to God and His laws.” (WS Dictionary, Zodihates)
I read that it is also associated with reverence toward God.
b.
Such
character must be at the foundation of every Christian’s character.
Much more so when we consider our spiritual shepherds.
They should be men of pious character.
In 1 Peter 5:3 they are told to lead by example.
As we have noted in this study, an elder is a Christian first!
One being considered as an elder ought to take this quality seriously
because, while all members petition God in prayer on behalf of their
brethren, more so it a specific work of the elders – James 5:14.
ONLY the holy can approach God.
a.
It is a
word that means in power or dominion.
The idea is that you are in control of your life.
A derivative of this word is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “everyone who
competes for the prize is temperate in all things.”
b.
The
importance of self-control cannot be overemphasized in the life of every
Christian. Where there is
sin, there is a lack of self-control.
c.
An elder
cannot act rashly or impulsively.
He must be restrained and in control in every avenue of his life.
He has the discipline to do what he needs to do and to NOT do
what he ought NOT. This
would include his words and his actions.
The reasons for this are obvious.
If he cannot control himself – how can he expect the members to
do the same?
And thus we can see the character of an
elder. In our next lesson we
will discuss his actions, as they relate to others.
The qualities are not exclusive to one category or the other.
Actions are an indication of character and character governs
actions. That is true for
all of us. One final
observation – while their character is of the highest standard, they are
still human. ALLOW for that
before you receive accusations against them – 1 Tim. 5:17-20.