the qualifications of elders 1 tim. 3:1-7; tit. 1:5-9 1

The QualificationsOf Elders

1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9

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Preliminary ObservationsThere are some implied qualifications

Each man must be qualified to serve

Each qualification is essential

Each man must be qualified before he is selected and appointed

Each man must remain qualified

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Preliminary ObservationsThese qualifications vary in character

– Absolute & relative

– Moral & practical

– Positive & negative

These qualifications do not demand perfection

These qualifications are attainable

Elders In 1st Cen. ChurchesJudea (Acts 11:29-30)Jerusalem (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4; 21:18)Lystra, Iconium, Antioch (Acts 14:21-23)Ephesus (Acts 20:17)Philippi (Phil. 1:1)Thessalonica (1 Th. 5:12)Crete (Tit. 1:5)Hebrews (Heb. 13:17)Dispersion (1 Pet. 5:1 & 1:1; Jas. 1:1 & 5:14)

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No Elders• Corinth• Crete

Appointed Quickly

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The Qualifications

Elders & ChristiansOlderHusband of one wifeRules well his own houseFaithful childrenNot a noviceAble to teachAble to convict the gainsayer

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The QualificationsElders & Mature Christians

OlderHusband of one wifeOne who rules well his own houseFaithful children

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Preliminary ObservationsThese qualifications are observable and verifiable

These qualifications are necessary to do the work of an elder

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Qualifications Most DiscussedThe husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6)

Having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination (Tit. 1:6)

Consider Other Qualifications First

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Qualifications More ImportantAble to teach (1 Tim. 3:2)

Not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:3)

Not self-willed (Tit. 1:7)

Not quick-tempered (Tit. 1:7)

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Qualifications More ImportantSober-minded (Tit. 1:8)

Self-controlled (Tit. 1:8)

Holding fast the faithful word (Tit. 1:9)

– Exhort in sound doctrine

– Refute those who contradict

“The Husband OfOne Wife”

(1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6)

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Various Interpretations

“Husband Of One Wife”Married to the Church (Catholic)

Married to one woman, not more

Married only once– Not widowed and remarried

– Not divorced and remarried

Married and faithful

An Elder Must Be MaleWoman can’t be “husband” (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6)

No evidence of women elders

NT restrictions preclude women from eldership

– Women can’t have authority (1 Tim. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 14:34-35)

– Elders rule (Heb. 13:7, 17) and teach (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9)

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“Husband Of One Wife”(1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6)

Man

Married man

Married man to one woman

– One woman only

– One woman at a time

Married man who is faithful to one woman

“Children”

(1 Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6)

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Questions About “Children”Does an elder have to have children?

Must an elder’s children be his own biological children?

Must an elder have more than one child?

Must an elder’s children be Christians?

Must all of an elder’s children be Christians?

Must an elder’s children remain faithful after they leave his house?

What Does “Children” Mean?Gen. 21:7Gen. 30:1Lev. 25:411 Sam. 30:221 Chr. 2:301 Chr. 2:32Isa. 23:4

Mt. 10:21Mt. 19:29Mt. 22:24Mk. 10:29Lk. 14:26Lk. 18:29-30Acts 2:39

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One Or More

What Does “Children” Mean?1 Cor. 7:142 Cor. 12:14Eph. 6:4Col. 3:211 Th. 2:71 Th. 2:111 Tim. 5:4

1 Tim. 5:101 Tim. 5:14Tit. 2:41 Tim. 3:4Tit. 1:6

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One Or More

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What Does “Children” Mean?Gen. 21:7: She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Gen. 30:1: 1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”

More Than One One Or More

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What Does “Children” Mean?Lev. 25:41: 41 And then he shall depart from you—he and his children with him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers.


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What Does “Children” Mean?Lk. 14:26: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.


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What Does “Children” Mean?1 Tim. 5:14: Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Tit. 2:4: that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,


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What Does “Children” Mean?1 Tim. 3:4: one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence….

Tit. 1:6: if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.


What Does “Children” Mean?Widow Indeed

1 Tim. 5:10: well reported for good works: if she has brought up children….

More than one One or more

Elders1 Tim. 3:4: one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission….

More than one One or more

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“Children”Parallel Expressions

Dt. 25:5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son….” (ESV)

Mk. 12:19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child {teknon} …. (ESV)

Mt. 22:24“saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said, “If a man dies having no children {tekna} ….” (ESV)

“Children”:

Parallel ExpressionsLk. 20:28: “…if a man’s brother dies…and he dies without children {ateknos: adj. sing.}

Lk. 20:29: “…the first took a wife, and died without children” {ateknos: adj. sing.}

Lk. 20:30: “And the second took her as a wife, and he died childless.” {ateknos: adj. sing.}

Lk. 20:31: “…and they left no children, and died” {tekna: noun. plur.}

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Objection:

Primary MeaningCarrol Sutton: “Since the primary, ordinary

meaning of CHILDREN is more than one and this primary meaning is not forbidden either by the context or some other Scriptural statement or principle, we have no right to adopt a secon-dary, abnormal meaning such as ‘class’ or ‘categorical’ usage. To arbitrarily place a secondary, abnormal meaning on CHILDREN…is without justification either grammatically or Scripturally.” (“An Elder’s Children In Titus 1:6 – Singular Or Plural? (No. 2)” The Instructor, Dec. 1990, 27:12:2)

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How Many “Children”?

Tit. 1:6: if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

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IfMore Than One To Qualify

ThenMore Than One To Disqualify

How Many “Children”?

Tommy Hagewood: “If it takes more than one faithful child for a man to qualify it would take more than one riotous or unruly child to disqualify him. I know of no one who takes such a view. Surely a word used once in a verse cannot be given two different meanings. Obviously the word children in Titus 1:6 means one or more.” (“Can A Man With Only One Child Be An Elder?” Locust Light, Mar. 15, 1992, 24:6:1)

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Tit. 1:6: …having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

Objection:Does “Elders” Mean “Elder”?

“Elders” (plural) in first-century churches (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17, 28; 21:18; 1 Th. 5:12; Tit. 1:5; Heb. 13:7, 17; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1)– Plural nouns: “men,” “brethren,” “overseers,”

“examples”– Plural verbs: “take heed,” “shepherd,” “serving as

overseers,” “being lords”– Plural pronouns: “they,” them,” “you,” “yourselves,”

“those,” “their”

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Objection:Does “Elders” Mean “Elder”?

Marshall Patton: “While there are instances in which the elders could be understood to have either the singular or plural meaning, it does not follow that one elder could serve as such over one church. The reason is simple. An elder is a part of a whole, namely, ‘the presbytery’ (presbuterion, 1 Tim 4:14), or which is the same, the eldership. One elder over one church destroys this eldership concept. It is wrong to argue for that which militates against truth revealed elsewhere.” (“Titus,” Truth Commentaries, 265)

74Bill Walton

“The Eldership”(presbyterion)

BDAG: “an administrative group concerned with the interests of a specific community, council of elders a. of the highest Judean council in Jerusalem…. b. as a council in connection with adminstration of Christian congregations, including all the πρεσβύτεροι (s. πρεσβύτερος 2b), presbytery.” (861)

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Objection:

“Better Qualified”3 better than 2; 4 than 3; 15 than 10; etc.

1 different (and perhaps more difficult) experience than 2+

All boys different experience

All girls different experience

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What Is Required? And Why?

“Faithful Children”

(Tit. 1:6)

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“Faithful”(pistos)

Vine: “a verbal adjective, akin to peitho...is used in two senses, (a) Passive, faithful, to be trusted, reliable.... (b) Active, signifying believing, trusting, relying.... “With regard to believers, they are spoken of sometimes in the Active sense, sometimes in the Passive, i.e., sometimes as believers, sometimes as faithful....” (Emphasis added, #4103, p. 402)

Faithful Children

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To God

To father

In character

Faithful

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Pistos = BelievingNot unbelieving but believing (Jn. 20:27)Those of the circumcision who believed (Acts 10:45) Timothy’s mother was a believing Jewish woman (Acts 16:1) “What part has a believer…?” (2 Cor. 6:15)“The faithful in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 1:1)

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Pistos = Believing“Those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:3, 10, 12) “ If any woman who is a believer” (1 Tim. 5:16)“Believing” masters (1 Tim. 6:2)Lydia was “faithful” to the Lord (Acts 16:15) ? Abraham was “faithful” (Gal. 3:9) ?

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Pistos = BelievingWomen/wives to be “faithful” in all things (1 Tim. 3:11) ?

“Faithful” men (2 Tim. 2:2) ? Be “faithful” unto death (Rev. 2:10) ?

Antipas was a “faithful” martyr (Rev. 2:13) ?

Called, chosen, and “faithful” (Rev. 17:14) ?

English Versions & Tit. 1:6Believers = Christians Faithful

Marshall ESV NAB YLTBerry Phillips NCV KJVASV Good News NIRV NKJV

NASB Goodspeed NLT NETRSV CEV NRSV HCSBNEB GW TNIV LEBNIV GNT WNT 21:6

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Commentaries & Tit. 1:6Believers = Christians Faithful

Hiebert (EBC) Hendriksen (BNTC) (Wuest) WSGNT Knight (NIGTC)

Litfin (BKC) Wemp (KJVBC) (Henry) (MH) Guthrie (NBC) ?

Guthrie (TNTC) WEONT Lipscomb (GAC) Campbell (OUT)

MacArthur (MSB) JFB Barclay (DSBS) Nute (NLBC)

Larson (HNTC) Knowles (BG) Stibbs (NBCR) Zerr (BC)

Lea & Griffin (NAC)

Arichea & Hatton (HPLT) Patton (TC) Barnes (BN)

Wiersbe (BEC) Robertson (WPNT)

MacArthur (MNTC) Gill

Clarke Vincent (WSNT) 23:7

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Assertion Without Argumentation

Exception

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Sam Dawson On Pistos“[W]here the word ‘faithful’ is used AFTER THE

CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED (Ac. 16. 1, 15; I Cor. 4.17, II Cor. 6.15, Eph. 1.1, 6.21; Col. 1.2, 7; 4.7, 9) it is used exclusively of Christians, and particularly in the books we’re now studying, I & II Timothy and Titus, it is used exclusively of Christians (I Tim. 1.12, 4.3, 4.10, 4.12, 5.16, 6.2, II Tim. 2.13, Tit. 1.6). It appears to be conclusive that in the very books where Paul is delineating the

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Sam Dawson On Pistosqualifications of elders, he is using the word ‘faithful,’ to mean one who is trustworthy, reliable, or dependable BECAUSE HE IS A CHRISTIAN.” (“Qualifications And Work Of Elders, Part IV, Olsen Park Gospel Themes, Aug. 1, 1982, 4:4:24)

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John MacArthur On Pistos“[I]t is significant that, except for this sometimes

disputed text (Titus 1:6), it [pistos] always is used of people whom the context clearly identifies as believers (see, e.g., Matt. 25:21, 23; Acts 16:15; 1 Cor. 4:2, 17; Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7; Rev. 2:10, 13; 17:14). Unbelievers are never referred to as faithful. That fact alone argues strongly for the rendering here of children who believe, that is, who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

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John MacArthur On PistosEven if the idea were that of faithfulness to parents, the use of pistos in those other passages would argue for its referring to the faithfulness of believing children. In an elder’s home, especially, a child who is old enough to be saved, but is not, can hardly be considered faithful. He would be unfaithful in by far the most important way.” (Comments on Titus 1:6)

When Was Paul Faithful?1 Tim. 1:12-13

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Acts 9:15-1615 But the Lord said to

him [Ananias], “Go, for he [Saul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

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Before His Conversion

When Was Paul Faithful?Acts 26:15–18: 15 So I said, ‘Who are You,

Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light….

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Before His Conversion

BDAG & 1 Tim. 1:12“a. …consider someone trustworthy…1 Ti

1:12…. faithful, reliable, trustworthy in someth…. When Paul explains in 1 Cor 7:25 that the Lord graciously granted him the privilege of being πιστός, and uses this as a basis for his claim to be heard w. respect, πιστός can hardly mean ‘believing’…; the apostle rather feels that in a special sense he has been called and commissioned because of the confidence God has in him….” (820-821)

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Faithfulness Before Conversion

Marshall Patton: “It was because of Paul’s faithfulness that he was put into this ministry. His trustworthiness, evidenced by his loyalty, zeal, and honesty prior to his conversion, gave every reason to believe he would be the same after his conversion, and more so, if possible.” (“1 Timothy,” Truth Commentaries, 22)

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Believing ChildrenDemonstrate Ability To Rule

Karl Diestelkamp: “If my children do not follow the Lord after I have brought them up and finished my training of them, can it still be said that I have ruled well my own house, my children are not unruly and I am blameless in the manner of their upbringing?” (“Qualifications Of Elders (2), Guardian of Truth, October 22, 1981, 25:42:658)

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Mixing Apples & Oranges1 Tim. 3:4-5

4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

Tit. 1:66 if a man is

blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

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No Explanation

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Passages Joined

Jas. 1:27 Orphans Christian Visit & Widows

1 Tim. 5:16 Church Relieve Widows

Therefore Orphans Church Relieve & Widows

Acts 2:38 Repent Alien Sinner & Be Baptized

Rev. 2:16 Erring Christian Repent

Therefore Repent Erring Christian & Be Baptized

If This... What About This...

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Passages Joined

1 Tim. 3:4-5Children in submissionTake care of church of God

Tit. 1:6 Faithful (believing) children

Therefore Faithful (believing) childrenTake care of church of God

Acts 2:38 Repent Alien Sinner & Be Baptized

Rev. 2:16 Erring Christian Repent

Therefore Repent Erring Christian & Be Baptized

If This... What About This...

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OT Leaders With Bad KidsJacob (Gen. 49:3-7)

Aaron (Lev. 10:1-3)

Eli (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25; 3:13)

Samuel (1 Sam. 8:1-5)

David (2 Sam. 13; 15; 1 Ki. 1)

Solomon (1 Ki. 14:21-24)

Jehoshaphat (2 Ki. 8:16-18)

Jotham (2 Ki. 16:1-4)

Hezekiah (2 Ki. 21:1-16)

Josiah (2 Ki. 23:31-32)

Orville Wright“...but if we all

worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance.”

(Letter, June 7, 1903)

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Pistos = ReliableServants may be “faithful” (10x) (Mt. 24:45; 25:21, 23; Lk. 16:10-12; 19:17)

God is “faithful” (8x) (1 Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:18; 1

Th. 5:24; Heb. 10:23; 11:11; 1 Jn. 1:9)

Mercies of David are “sure” (Acts 13:34)

Stewards are “faithful” (2x) (Lk. 12:42; 1 Cor. 4:2)

Timothy was a “faithful” son in the Lord (1 Cor.

4:17)

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Pistos = ReliableTychicus was a “faithful” minister (2x) (Eph.

6:21; Col. 4:7)

“Faithful” brethren at Colossae (Col. 1:2)

Epiphras was a “faithful” minister (Col. 1:7)

Onesimus was a “faithful” and beloved brother (Col. 4:9)

Lord is “faithful” (2 Th. 3:3)

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Pistos = ReliableSayings may be “faithful” (7x) (1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9;

2 Tim. 2:11; Tit. 3:8; Rev. 21:5; 22:6)

Word of God is “faithful” (Tit. 1:9)

Christ is “faithful” (2 Tim. 2:13)

Christ is a merciful and “faithful” high priest (2x) (Heb. 2:17; 3:1-2)

Moses was “faithful” in all his house (Heb. 3:5)

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Pistos = ReliablePaul was “trustworthy” (2x) (1 Cor. 7:25; 1 Tim. 1:12)

God is “faithful” Creator (1 Pet. 4:19)

Silvanus was a “faithful” brother (1 Pet. 5:12)

“You do faithfully whatever you do” (3 Jn. 5)

Jesus is the “faithful” witness (2x) (Rev. 1:5; 3:14)

Jesus was “Faithful and True” (Rev. 19:11)

Pistos = ReliableLydia was “faithful” to the Lord (Acts 16:15) ? “Faithful” Abraham (Gal. 3:9) ? Women/wives to be “faithful” in all things (1 Tim. 3:11) ?

“Faithful” men (2 Tim. 2:2) ?

Be “faithful” unto death (Rev. 2:10) ?

Antipas was a “faithful” martyr (Rev. 2:13) ?

Called, chosen, and “faithful” (Rev. 17:14) ? 118

1 Tim. 3:1111 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

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Believers Reliable (Christians)

2 Tim. 2:22 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

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Believers Reliable (Christians)

Context indicates Christians “Faithful” indicates reliable/trustworthy

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What Does Pistos Mean?Believing (Christians)

– 15/66 = 23%

– 8/66 = 12%

Reliable– 51/66 = 77%

– 58/66 = 88%Minus Tit. 1:6

Pistos Applied To Christians

Timothy (1 Cor. 4:17)

Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col.

4:7)

Brethren (Col. 1:2)

Epiphras (Col. 1:7)

Onesimus (Col. 4:9)

Paul (1 Cor. 7:25; 1 Tim. 1:12)

Silvanus (1 Pet. 5:12)

Lydia (Acts 16:15)

Wives (1 Tim. 3:11)

Men (2 Tim. 2:2)

Smyrna (Rev. 2:10)

Antipas (Rev. 2:13)

Called & chosen (Rev. 17:14)

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Indicated By Context

Pistos is applied to CHILDRENin Tit. 1:6

ApplicationDoesn’t Change

Meaning

J. W. McGarvey On

The Meaning Of WordsA. Ascertain the primary meaning of the word.

This done:

1. By Lexicons.

2. Common usage.

B. Adopt primary meaning unless forbidden. It may be forbidden in two ways.

1. By the context.

2. By some other scripture statement.

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J. W. McGarvey On

The Meaning Of WordsC. Ascertain its secondary or divided meaning

and how divided from the primary. This ascertained in the same way as the primary.

D. Try each meaning until one is found that will suit.

E. If two meanings suit equally as well—decide by Old Testament or New Testament usage.

(J. W. McGarvey, Sacred Didactics, 8)

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English Versions & Tit. 1:6Believers = Christians Faithful

Marshall ESV NAB YLTBerry Phillips NCV KJVASV Good News NIRV NKJV

NASB Goodspeed NLT NETRSV CEV NRSV HCSBNEB GW TNIV LEBNIV GNT WNT 21:6

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NET Bible On

“Faithful Children”“8 tn Or ‘believing children.’ The phrase

could be translated ‘believing children,’ but the parallel with 1 Tim 3:4 (‘keeping his children in control’) argues for the sense given in the translation.” (Emphasis added)

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NIGTC On

“Faithful Children”“Should πιστά in this clause be understood as

‘faithful’ or as ‘believing’? The range of usage shows that either meaning is a possibility: The word can clearly mean ‘faithful,’ as it does several times in the PE, including once with a noun, as here (2 Tim. 2:2: πιστοὶ ἀνθρώποι). It can also mean ‘believing’ and does on several occasions in the PE, again including once with a noun (1 Tim. 6:2: πιστοὶ … δεσπόται). The context here and the

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NIGTC Bible On

“Faithful Children”parallel in 1 Tim. 3:4-5, however, provide some important indicators: The qualifying statement here, ‘not accused of dissipation or rebellion,’ emphasizes behavior and seems to explain what it means for τέκνα to be πιστά. Likewise 1 Tim. 3:4 speaks of the overseer ‘keeping his children under control with all dignity.’ In both cases the overseer is evaluated on the basis of his control of his children and their conduct. It is likely,

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NIGTC Bible On

“Faithful Children”therefore, that τέκνα ἔχων πιστά here is virtually equivalent to τέκνα ἔχοντα ἐν ὑποταγῇ in 1 Tim. 3:4. If that is so, then πιστά here means ‘faithful’ in the sense of ‘submissive’ or ‘obedient,’ …. This proposed understanding of the passage goes contrary to a consistent pattern in recent English translations (RSV, NEB, TEV: ‘believers’; similarly NASB, NIV), but the considerations cited above seem compelling.” (“The Pastoral Epistles,” 290)

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Pistos In The KJV1 Tim. 4:3: “them which believe”

1 Tim. 4:10: “them which believe”

1 Tim. 4:12: “an example of the believers”

1 Tim. 5:16: “If any man or woman that believeth”

1 Tim. 6:2: “They that have believing masters”

Tit. 1:6: “Having faithful children”

Bill Walton

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Pistos In The PastoralsPassages Believing Reliable

Christ counted Paul faithful (1 Tim. 1:12) A faithful saying (1 Tim. 1:15) A faithful saying (1 Tim. 3:1) Wives must be faithful in all things (1 Tim. 3:11)

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Those who believe (1 Tim. 4:3) A faithful saying (1 Tim. 4:9) Those who believe (1 Tim. 4:10) The believers (1 Tim. 4:12)

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Any believing man or woman (1 Tim. 5:16) Those who have believing masters (1 Tim. 6:2) Commit these to faithful men (2 Tim. 2:2) A faithful saying (2 Tim. 2:11)

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He remains faithful (2 Tim. 2:13) Faithful children (Tit. 1:6)

The faithful word (Tit. 1:9) A faithful saying (Tit. 3:8)

TOTALS 5x 10x

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Pistos Is

Defined By Its Opposite

Paul Does Not Say:Not unbelievers

Not ungodly sinners

Not enemies of God

Etc.

Paul Says:Not accused of dissipation or insubordination

“Having faithful children not….”

Contrasted with Christians(1 Pet. 4:1-4; 1 Tim. 1:8-10; Tit. 1:10)

Defined By Its Opposite1 Tim. 2:9: 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,

1 Tim. 3:8: 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

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Defined By Its Opposite1 Tim. 3:11: 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

Tit. 1:6: 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

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Defined By Its OppositeTit. 1:7: 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

Tit. 2:3: 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

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Defined By Its OppositeTit. 2:9–10: 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

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Jeffrey Hamilton

The DifferencesTimothy Titus

Unique qualifications for eldersDesire officeTemperateGentleNot quarrelsome

Unique qualifications for eldersSensibleJustHolySelf-controlledLover of goodNot quick-temperedNot self-willed

Qualifications for deaconsQualifications for women/wives

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Identical Qualifications1 Timothy 3 Titus 1

Husband of one wife (1) Husband of one wife (6)Sober-minded (2) Sober-minded (8)Hospitable (2) Hospitable (8)Not given to wine (3) Not given to wine (7)Not violent (3) Not violent (7)

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Similar Qualifications1 Timothy 3 Titus 1

Blameless (1) Blameless (6, 7)Temperate (2) Self-controlled (8)

Able to teach (2) Holding fast faithful word to exhort & convict (9)

Not greedy for money (3)Not covetous (3) Not greedy for money (7)Gentle (3)

Not quick-tempered (7)Not quarrelsome (3)

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Similar Qualifications1 Timothy 3 Titus 1

Rules house well (4) Faithful children (6)

Children in submission with reverence (4-5)

Not accused of dissipation or insubordination (7)

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Unique Qualifications1 Timothy 3 Titus 1

Desires the position (1) Not self-willed (7)Of good behavior (2) Lover of good (8)Not a novice (6) Just (8)Good testimony among those outside (7) Holy (8)

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Same Abilities & Character

Harmonizing

Timothy & Titus1. Each list is different & adequate

a. Different qualifications in different churches

2. Each list is different & supplementary

a. Prior knowledge apart from Paul’s letters

3. Each list is different but essentially equivalent

a. Describe the same abilities and character

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• Possible? Yes• Probable? Maybe• Certain? No• Provable? No

Prior KnowledgeElders were appointed before Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus (Acts 11:30; 14:23)

– Qualifications known through inspired men before inspired letters

Timothy had a spiritual gift (2 Tim. 1:6)

– The nature of the gift is unknown

– No evidence Titus had spiritual gifts

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Prior KnowledgeTimothy & Titus traveled with Paul (Acts 16:1-3; Gal. 2:1-3; Tit. 1:5)

Timothy & Titus spent time in churches with elders

– Timothy in Ephesus (Acts 20:4-5, 13-15, 17ff; 21:1; 1 Tim. 1:3) & Thessalonica (1 Th. 3:1-2, 6; 5:12)

– Titus in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1-3)

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Prior KnowledgeTimothy & Titus had received some oral instruction from Paul (2 Tim. 1:13; Tit. 1:5)

Paul’s letters to be shared (Col. 4:16; 1 Th. 5:27)

– But Titus written after 1 Timothy

Letters were written to remind readers of oral teaching (2 Pet. 1:12-15)

Letters for benefit of churches150

QuestionsIf qualifications were known, why did Paul write? (cf. 1 Tim. 3:14-15)

Why did he write two different qualification lists?

Why would Paul instruct or remind Titus and not Timothy or vice versa?

Did Timothy know something that Titus did not know?

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QuestionsSince there were elders at Ephesus, why did Paul need to inform Timothy about the other qualifications and not “believing children”?

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1 Timothy:

Paul’s Reason For Writing1 Tim. 3:14–15: 14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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If Timothy Already Knew,Why Did Paul Write?

Parallel Passages1 Tim. 3:4-5




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Both Saying The Same Thing

Which Is Parallel?

Bill Walton 155

1 Tim. 3:4children in submission

with all reverence

Tit. 1:6believing children

not accused of dissipationor insubordination

Tit. 1:6faithful children

not accused of dissipationor insubordination

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OT Leaders With Bad KidsJacob (Gen. 49:3-7)

Aaron (Lev. 10:1-3)

Eli (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25; 3:13)

Samuel (1 Sam. 8:1-5)

David (2 Sam. 13; 15; 1 Ki. 1)

Solomon (1 Ki. 14:21-24)

Jehoshaphat (2 Ki. 8:16-18)

Jotham (2 Ki. 16:1-4)

Hezekiah (2 Ki. 21:1-16)

Josiah (2 Ki. 23:31-32)

A. Ralph Johnson“‘Faithful,’ rather than ‘believing,’ resolves a number

of questions. Must he have more than one child that believes? Must they all be believers? What if a man has another child after he becomes an elder? What if one of two children dies after they have become believers? What if a man has several children--must they all grow up and become believers before a man can serve? What if, after leaving home, one falls away from the faith? A man can control the behavior of children in his home but how can he be held accountable for the free choice of his children to believe?” (Elders And Deacons, 31)

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Faithful Children

Some Or All?Acts 10:45

Eph. 1:1

Col. 1:2

1 Tim. 4:3

1 Tim. 4:10

1 Tim. 4:12

1 Tim. 6:1-2

2 Tim. 2:2

Rev. 17:14

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Does “faithful” ever apply to some and not all of the group under consideration?

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Ezekiel 18

Righteous Father (5-9)

Wicked Son (10-13)

Righteous Grandson (14-18)

20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Mixing Apples & Oranges1 Tim. 3:4-5




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No Explanation

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When Unqualified Men Are Appointed

The church does something it should not do

The men serve when they should not serve

Unqualified elders will likely not help and probably harm the church

Unqualified elders are placed in a situation that may cause them to lose their souls (cf. 1 Tim. 3:5-7)

the qualifications of elders 1 tim. 3:1-7; tit. 1:5-9 1

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