Nothing is needed more in local churches than godly elders. Every person in a local band of disciples bears some responsibility in becoming an elder or working together with elders. Parents, wives, and children can do much toward the development of elders, as can those serving and those not qualified. Our point is that the entire church must view this as a worthy goal and work toward it.
Overseeing Souls
Serving as an elder is an awesome responsibility; if he doesn’t view it as a spiritual work to be performed, then he should not consider accepting the position. It will be far better for him and for God’s sheep; for viewing an elder’s role as a figurehead position, an honorary office, an opportunity to wield dominion over others, or a steppingstone to bigger things will lead to monumental problems among the people of the Lord and his condemnation by God.
The work of overseeing God’s flock requires that he desire that work (1 Tim. 3:1), lead the sheep entrusted to him (1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12), speak to them about their souls (1 Thess. 5:12-14), and understand the value of working with other elders (“not self-willed,” Tit. 1:7).
Many do not understand that the qualifications are not an end in themselves but fit a man for service as an overseer. A study of his work ought to precede a study of the qualifications to demonstrate the profound need for them. In this light they become practical, not merely a field for debate.
Consider briefly the ruling mentioned in Hebrews 13:17, 24 and 1 Timothy 5:17. “Rule” is modified by other terms like “over you,” “submit,” and “obey,” as well as the restriction against arbitrary rule in 1 Peter 5:2 and the qualification “not self-willed.” Elders are not monarchs or dictators. The nature and sphere of their ruling is set by such words as “tend,” “feed,” “lead,” “watch for your souls,” “take care of,” and “oversee.”
What Qualifications Are Needed?
Against the background of their work, the qualifications become clearer. Only blameless (guilt unproved in his life), patient, gentle, temperate (controlling his appetites and passions), just (righteous, fair-and-square), holy (reserved for godliness), and sober-minded (earnest, not flippant) men who display good behavior, hospitality, and a good report (reputation) and refrain from strong drink, fighting (brawling and contentiousness), quickness to anger, and greed for gain (love for his money) are fit for spiritual leading and ruling. Their example paves the way for spiritual work in the congregation. His task is not merely opening the building, mowing the grass, bossing the sheep, or making administrative decisions. His life will be orderly (spiritually aligned with his priorities), and it will show in his aptness to teach others the Lord’s will and way. All qualifications appear in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Lest any think these qualities are suggestions, remember that the Spirit-guided Paul appended the word “must” to them, leaving no doubt they are mandatory. They demonstrate that he is a spiritually balanced individual, because they come from various aspects of his life: some of them relate to his character, while some point to his spiritual aptitude (teaching, loving what/who is good, holding to the trustworthy word and convincing gainsayers, and not a novice). The most disputed qualifications are those related to his domestic (family) responsibilities. It can be readily discerned that some of them are positive while others are negative, and that some are absolute (either has it or doesn’t, “husband of one wife”) and others relative (possessed in varying degrees, “apt to teach”). All of them prove that an overseer of the souls of others is not given to unreasonable or unbalanced thinking or acting, for his equanimity of soul stands out.
When considering the qualifications of men for service as elders, it is imperative that we look at all of them, not just one or two. Remember that they were not given to disqualify, but to qualify men for spiritual service. Let’s not use them otherwise.
The Family Qualifications
Notice what the Spirit said about elders and their families in 1 Timothy 3:4-5: “...one who rules his own house well, having his children in subjection with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?).” The clearly stated reason is given in the parenthetical statement. His family is the proving ground for his work as an overseer. It is a stewardship like that in the local church. He there learns faithfulness in guarding his family, so that protecting what belongs to another in the church is something for which he has prepared. One stewardship equips him for the other (1 Tim. 3:4-5).
The family qualifications demonstrate the man’s preparation for the care which he gives to the church. He will have successfully demonstrated the following accomplishments, which are part of his family responsibility and are pertinent to his future work as a steward of God’s people:
Faithfulness to his wife
Benevolent, vigilant rule of his family
Leadership in encouraging and facilitating his family’s spiritual growth
Management of differences and quarrels
Experience in developing submission with reverence among his children through his own example and teaching
Godly attitudes maintained throughout his successes and failures at home
The true test of his character and his understanding of the Scriptures provided in his family dealings
Without this test which he faces in the test tube of family dealings, the other qualifications (knowledge, teaching ability, and the various positive/negative virtues) are academic, leaving real doubt about his ability to maintain them as he functions as an elder. A facade of righteousness is impossible to maintain under the intense heat of family testing, when true character is missing. In summary, the family is the laboratory in which the husband/father shows himself truly qualified to exercise stewardship of the local church. By his good behavior he proves that he is a lover of what is good.
Controversial qualifications include these:
1. “Husband of one wife” (Tit. 1:6): This qualification simply means that the man must have remained the faithful husband of his lawful mate. It requires marriage and prohibits polygamy, as well as the serial adultery so prominent in today’s culture.
2. “Children”: The context demands he have enough children to rule them. Notice the equivalence between “children” in verse four and “house” in verse five. Yes, Greek lexicons supply possible meanings, but only the immediate context determines the exact meaning by showing which meaning fits. Even the remote context, which shows “children” used in instances where the singular meaning is included in the plural usage, is not the decisive factor in this matter. Finally, the immediate context shows what “children” means in the disputed passage.
3. “Faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (Tit. 1:6) or “having children in submission with all reverence” (1 Tim. 3:4): The positive part of this statement means children must be faithful to Christ (usual meaning of the words “faithful” and “believe” in NT) during their time under his rule (“his own house,” 1 Tim. 3:5). He has no right to rule any house besides his own, not even that of his child. The negative part of the statement means that they have not turned to a life of rebellion against divine authority, government, or parents. Their later unfaithfulness can result from father’s failure; but it is not necessarily so (consider God’s fatherly relation to rebellious Israel in Isaiah 1).
An elder thus qualified is made an overseer by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28) – that is, by his spiritual development guided by the Spirit and the congregation’s acceptance of him as an overseer. He will bless the church, just as the Lord has blessed him; and the church he shepherds is truly blessed by God!
Bobby L. Graham has preached for the Old Moulton Road Church of Christ in Decatur, AL, for sixteen years. He has served as an elder there and elsewhere.