1Timothy 3:1-7

Paul outlines the criteria that qualify people for leadership in the church community.  All of the items mentioned have to do with character.  God seems far more concerned with the personal integrity of leaders than with their education, eloquence, or charisma.  Without question, the standards are high, but that doesn't imply a higher standard for church leaders than "ordinary" Christians.  All believers

are called to these same high standards of Christ likeness.  Paul is not creating a class of spirituality elite here.  He is simply indicating that the church should select its leadership from among people who are generally living up to the ideals of the gospel.

To be a church leader (overseer) is a heavy responsibility because the church belongs to the living God.  Church leaders should not be elected because they are popular, nor should they be allowed to push their way to the top.  Instead they should be chosen by the church because of their respect for the truth, both in what they believe and in how they live.

The word overseer can refer to a pastor, church leader, or presiding elder.  It is good to want to be a spiritual leader, but the standards are high.  Paul enumerates some of the qualifications here.  Do you hold a position of spiritual leadership, or would you like to be a leader some day? Check yourself against Paul's standard of excellence.  Those with great responsibility must meet high expectations.

The lists of qualifications  of church office show that living a blameless and pure life requires effort and self-discipline.  All believers, even if they never plan to be church leaders, should strive to follow these guidelines because they are consistent with what God says is true and right.  The strength to live according to God's will comes from Christ.

When Paul says that each overseer should have only one wife, he is prohibiting both polygamy and promiscuity.  This does not prohibit an unmarried person from becoming an elder or a widowed elder from remarrying.

Christian workers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of thinking their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring their families.  Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home.  If a man is not willing to care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the church.  Don't allow your volunteer activities to detract from your family responsibilities.

New believers should become secure and strong in the faith before taking leadership roles in the  church.  Too often, when the church is desperate for workers, new believers are placed in positions of responsibility prematurely.  New faith needs time to mature.  New believers should have a place of service, but they should not be put into leadership positions until they are firmly grounded in their faith, with a solid Christian life-style and a knowledge of the Word of God.

Young believers who are selected for office need to beware of the damaging effects of pride.  Pride can seduce our emotions and cloud our reason.  It can make those who are immature susceptible to the influence of unscrupulous people.  Pride and conceit were the devil's downfall, and he uses pride to trap others.

SOURCE:  Life Application Study Bible

                   The Word in Life Study Bible