Qualifications for Elders
1 Timothy 3:1-7
What should a church look for in an elder?
#FirstTimothyThreeOneToSeven
#QualificationsForElders
Published April 9th, 2017; Updated April 9th, 2017
Main point summary
Arcing of 1 Tim. 3:1-7
Phrasing of 1 Tim. 3:1-7
notes
Main point summary
Because the office of the elder is a noble task, it is required for anyone who desires to be an elder to wholly possess certain non-negotiable personal and technical, leadership, spiritual, and social integrity qualifications.
Arcing of 1 Tim. 3:1-7
editing
NT
1 Timothy 3:1-7
esv
The saying is v trustworthy:
If anyone aspires to w the office of overseer,
he desires a noble task.
conditional
ideaexplanation
Therefore x an overseer 1 must be
above reproach,
y the husband of one wife, 2
z sober-minded,
self-controlled,
respectable,
a hospitable,
b able to teach,
series
not a drunkard,
not violent
but c gentle,
negativepositive
not quarrelsome,
d not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household
well,
with all dignity
e keeping his children submissive,
actionmanner
for if someone does not know how to manage his own household,
how will he care for w God’s church?
ground
He must not be a recent convert,
or he may f become puffed up with conceit
and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
progression
Moreover, he must be well thought of by g outsiders,
so that he may not fall into disgrace, into h a snare of the devil.
actionpurpose
inference
Social Integrity
Spiritual
Leadership
Personal - Positive
Personal - Negative
Necessary Skill
discourse
Phrasing of 1 Tim. 3:1-7
1 Timothy 3:1-7
The Nobility of the Office of an Elder
The Nobility of the Office of an Elder
The saying is trustworthy:
If anyone aspires
Conditional content of 3:1a
to the office
of overseer,
he desires a noble task.
Positive Personal-Technical Qualifications of an Elder
Positive Personal-Technical Qualifications of an Elder
Therefore an overseer must be
Non-negotiable qualifications: 3:2b to 3:3f
above reproach,
the husband
of one wife,
sober- minded,
self- controlled,
respectable,
hospitable,
able to teach,
The only skill required
Negative Personal Qualifications of an Elder
Negative Personal Qualifications of an Elder
not a drunkard,
not violent
but gentle,
not quarrelsome,
not a lover
of money.
Leadership Qualifications of an Elder
Leadership Qualifications of an Elder
He must manage his own household
well,
How of 3:4a
with all dignity
keeping his children submissive,
for if someone does not know
Reason for 3:4a to d: rhetorical
how to manage his own household,
how will he care
for God’s church?
Spiritual Maturity Qualifications of an Elder
Spiritual Maturity Qualifications of an Elder
He must not be a recent convert,
or he may become puffed up
Reason for 3:6a: progressive
with conceit
and fall
into the condemnation
of the devil.
Social Integrity Qualifications of an Elder
Social Integrity Qualifications of an Elder
Moreover, he must be well thought of
by outsiders,
so that he may not fall
Reason for 3:7a to b
into disgrace,
into a snare
of the devil.
phrasing
Comments
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