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I don’t know what happened to the Greek font on this post.  It worked fine for a few days and now it is not showing on some  browsers.  Sorry about that.  I’m trying to fix it, but the problem remains.  I will keep working on it.  Check a Greek text or a Greek Bible program for the appropriate Greek words until I get it fixed.

One who desires the office – A man must first have a great desire to serve the church as an overseer.

evpiskoph/j ovre,getai 1 Tim. 3:1 – be eager for, long for, desire, aspire to; overseeing

evpiqumei/ (evpiskoph/j) 1 Tim. 3:1 – long for, desire, covet; overseeing

Blameless; above reproach – Accusations against him are baseless and there are no hidden sins.

avnepi,lhmpton 1 Tim. 3:2 – above reproach

avne,gklhtoj Titus 1:6 – beyond reproach, not called to account, irreproachable, blameless

The husband of one wife; a one-woman man – He has single-minded dedication to his wife.

mia/j gunaiko.j a;ndra 1 Tim. 3:2 – a one woman man

mia/j gunaiko.j avnh,r Titus 1:6 – literally, “with one wife husband” i.e., a husband with a wife

Self-controlled, temperate, sober – He has mastered his appetites and desires.

nhfa,lion 1 Tim. 3:2 – temperate, sober

sw,frona Titus 1:8 – self-controlled, master of self

Sensible, sane, of sound mind – He is in his right mind.

sw,frona 1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:8 – sensible, sound mind, sane

Well behaved, orderly, decent – He is known for his good behavior.

ko,smion 1 Tim. 3:2 – well behaved, respectable; modest, orderly, decent

An able teacher – He is teachable and able to teach, exhort and persuade believers and to refute false teaching.

didaktiko,n 1 Tim. 3:2 – able to teach, apt at teaching

dunato.j h=| kai. parakalei/n evn th/| didaskali,a| th/| u`giainou,sh| Titus 1:9 – dunato.j able to, strong, powerful parakalei/n call for, entreat, evoke, urge; encourage, speak words of encouragement; request, ask, appeal, to; console, comfort, cheer up didaskali,a what is taught, teaching, doctrine, instruction u`giainou,sh sound, healthy, correct, well-grounded

kai. tou.j avntile,gontaj evle,gcein Titus 1:9 – avntile,gontaj contradict, object to, oppose, resist evle,gcein show fault/error, convict of fault/error, convince of fault/error; prove guilty, condemn; rebuke, reprove

Given to hospitality – He is hospitable to friends and strangers alike.

filo,xenon 1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:8 – hospitable, loving strangers

Forbearing, considerate, moderate, gentle – He is attentive and understanding with others.

evpieikh/ 1 Tim. 3:3 – gentle, forbearing, considerate, equitable, fair, moderate, seemly

Peaceable; not quick-tempered, inclined to anger, pugnacious nor violent – He seeks peace and is not easily provoked.

a;macon 1 Tim. 3:3 – peaceful, abstaining from fighting, non-combatant, not contentious

mh. plh,kthn 1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7 – not quick-tempered or violent, not a striker, not a brawler

mh. ovrgi,lon Titus 1:7 – not quick-tempered, not inclined to anger

Not a drunkard or given to drink – He is neither a habitual nor excessive drinker of alcohol.

mh. pa,roinon 1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7 – not a drunkard, not given to strong drink

Not greedy or covetous; not a lover of money; not fond of sordid gain – He does not pursue materialistic accumulation of wealth and possessions.

avfila,rguron 1 Tim. 3:3 – not greedy for money, without love of money

mh. aivscrokerdh/ Titus 1:7 – not greedy for material gain

One who rules his own house well and with dignity – His wife is submitted to his leadership and his children are faithful; not accused of rebellion to God or disobedience.

tou/ ivdi,ou oi;kou kalw/j proi?sta,menon 1 Tim. 3:4 – a leader in one’s own house, has authority over, manages, cares for, gives help in one’s own house

te,kna e;conta evn u`potagh/|( meta. pa,shj semno,thtoj 1 Tim. 3:4 – having children in obedience, submission, with all seriousness, gravity, proper conduct, respectability

te,kna e;cwn pista, Titus 1:6 – te,kna e;cwn, having children, pista, faithful, trustworthy, reliable; believing

(te,kna) mh. evn kathgori,a| avswti,aj h’ avnupo,takta Titus 1:6 – te,kna e;cwn having children mh. evn kathgori,a| not accused of avswti,aj dissipation, reckless living, wastefulness avnupo,takta disorderly, disobedient; outside of one’s control, not made subject, not subject to rule, unruly

Not a new convert; not a novice – He has been a Christian long enough for his godly character to be evident to all.

mh. neo,futon 1 Tim. 3:6 – not recently converted, novice

Has a good reputation with those outside the Church – His good character is consistent in every area of life and recognized even by unbelievers.

marturi,an kalh.n e;cein avpo. tw/n e;xwqen 1 Tim. 3:7 – good testimony, witness, evidence, reputation with those outside the church

Not arrogant or self-willed – He is humble and prefers others before himself.

mh. auvqa,dh Titus 1:7 – not arrogant, self-willed, self-pleasing

Loves goodness and what is good – He loves people of good character and things of good quality.

fila,gaqon Titus 1:8 – loving what is good, loving goodness

Just, fair, righteous – He makes fair and impartial judgments based on righteousness.

di,kaion Titus 1:8 – upright, righteous, good; just, right

Holy, devout, pious – He strives to avoid sin and live righteously.

o[sion Titus 1:8 – holy, devout, pious, righteous, religiously right –

One who holds firmly to the faithful word and teaches it – He is loyal to and teaches the word of God and sound theology.

avnteco,menon tou/ kata. th.n didach.n pistou/ lo,gou Titus 1:9 – loyal to the teaching of the faithful word

(ASV) holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching

(KJV) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught

(NASU) holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching

(NIV) He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught

The answer to this question is in five parts with a summary at the end.

FIRST: If the biblical requirements for the office of elder are applied by the church to prospective elders, and the men in that office meet those requirements, then there is no need for congregational oversight of the elders. This means someone must go through 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and ask the prospective elder, his family, other church members, friends, co-workers and neighbors if he meets these requirements. Few have the courage to do this.

It is vital that the local church implement and follow God’s direction in this matter.  The importance of this cannot be overstated. A man who meets these character qualifications will not harm the church, but instead do his duty of teaching, leading and protecting it. The character of the elders submitted to the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit is the safeguard for the church.

The ‘key’ to elder leadership is the character of the men in the office. No church needs to be concerned about a man with the character qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

SECOND: Acts 20:29-30 is very clear, savage wolves will come in and men will arise who will abuse the flock. Paul was speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus and even from among them – men whom Paul had discipled for three years – even from among them there would be those who abused the flock.

No organizational structure or document will control sin. This is why character qualifications are the issue for those who would be elders.

Leaders in every form of church government have harmed the church. The primary problem is that they do not meet the character qualifications, were not examined closely, and have not been called by God to the ministry of oversight. The important question is, “Which form of church government is the biblical model?” not “Which form of government will keep the church from being ripped off?” No form of church government is a safeguard for the church.  Elder rule is the biblical model, but it is only as good, efficient and God-honoring as the character of the men who serve as elders. The Great Shepherd, the Holy Spirit, God’s Word and His undershepherds are the protection for the flock, not a document, a type of organization nor the flock itself.

THIRD: There is a system of oversight of the elders already in place. First, elders are examined by God and will give a personal account to Him for their ministry, as every believer will, but elders will be judged more strictly for their oversight ministry.  This future examination by God is a good motivator for elders to watch their doctrine and conduct closely. Second, the elders exercise oversight of one another. They are to closely examine their conduct and doctrine and are to be on guard for any evil that might arise among themselves. There is no biblical example or instruction for the congregation or any other group to oversee the elders. Each individual elder can be admonished by any believer according to Matthew 18, but the action to be taken in Matthew 18 is a result of sin and has nothing to do with watching over the elders in the discharge of their ministry.

FOURTH: The church is the Body of Christ. This is the nature of our relationship with one another and how we are to interact with one another. Christ is the Head of the body and individual believers make up its various parts. Each member of the body has been placed there by God and has been given a particular function and ministry in the body and is to serve the other members according to their unique place and giftedness and necessary function.

Part of God’s equipping of the body has been to provide for the ministry of leading and overseeing the church. Certain members of the body have been gifted in leadership and have been given the ministry of leading the church. This is their place, role and function in the body and this is how they are to serve the church. This ministry of leading the church has not been given to each member of the church at large.

When one member or group in the body ceases to minister according to their giftedness and seeks to exercise authority where they have none, the body suffers and does not function the way God intended and the result will be weakness and division.

Congregational rule limits the ministry of those God has specially called and equipped to lead and oversee the body of Christ, thus that ministry suffers. It also places all church members in the position of functioning in a ministry that was not given to them nor intended for them, thus the whole body suffers. The ministry of oversight in the body of Christ is given to individuals who are called to the office of overseer. They are to exercise this oversight amongst themselves and the rest of the congregation.

FIFTH: The nature of an equal plural leadership is itself one safeguard for the elders and the church. Though no outward form will prevent a man from sinning, a plurality of equal leaders is able to quickly confront and check any evil that might arise. There is greater genuine accountability among the leadership with a plurality of equal elders. Human leaders are sinners and they only accomplish the will of God imperfectly. Multiple leaders serve as a check and balance on each other and serve as a safeguard against the human tendency to seek after power. Shared leadership provides close accountability, genuine partnership and peer relationships.

Summary

1)      Men with the character qualities God requires of elders will not abuse the flock nor need to be watched.

2)      No outward structure or document will ever prevent a person from sinning, and that is not to be a goal of church government.

3)      God has already provided for the oversight of the elders through their accountability to God and each other.

4)      The whole church suffers when the ministry of oversight and leadership is taken away from the elders.

5)      There is safety and greater accountability among a group of overseers who are equal in office and function.

The relevant biblical passages are; Romans 15:22-27; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:10-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:4-6

Church leaders;

1) may be aided in their ministry by gifts from the congregation, Rom. 15:22-27

2) have the right to live a conventional life comparable with the rest of believers, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

3) have the right to refrain from ’secular’ work, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

4) have the right to be materially supported by the congregation, 1 Cor. 9:1-23, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

5) have the option not to take advantage of their right of material support if taking advantage will limit the gospel ministry, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

6) who proclaim the gospel have the right to make their living by the gospel, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

7) may make limited use of the right of financial support by the congregation, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

8) must do what is best for the furtherance of the gospel and the congregation, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

9) are not wrong in refusing the material support due them, 2 Cor. 11:7-9

10) should not be a material burden on those they minister to, 2 Cor. 11:7-9, 12:13-16, 1 Thess. 2:5-9, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

11) must not be greedy and seek after the material things of the congregation, 2 Cor. 12:13-16

12) must be willing to be expended and expendable, 2 Cor. 12:13-16

13) must be content in whatever financial circumstances they find themselves in, Phil. 4:10-18

14) must not be greedy for what is rightly due them, 1 Thess. 2:5-9

15) may assert their right for material support from the congregation, 1 Thess. 2:5-9

16) must do what is best for the congregation when it comes to material support, 1 Thess. 2:5-9

17) must be an example of how to take care of material things, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

18) who perform their duties well may be materially supported to a greater degree than those leaders who do not serve as well, 1 Tim. 5:17-18

19) who work hard at preaching and teaching are to be considered for greater material support over those who do not preach and teach as well, 1 Tim. 5:17-18

20) are to receive material support for their work, 1 Tim. 5:17-18

21) should be the first to receive material support from the congregation, 2 Tim. 2:4-6

Congregations;

1) are materially indebted to those who minister spiritual things to them, Rom. 15:22-27

2) are obligated to materially support those who minister to them spiritually, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

3) must not limit spiritual ministers by restricting their material support, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

4) are obligated to help needy leaders who minister in other congregations, 2 Cor. 11:7-9

5) are to share all of their good things with those who teach them the Word of God, Gal. 6:6, Phil. 4:10-18

6) must be disciplined in material matters just like the leadership, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

7) must materially support their own leadership before helping others, 2 Tim. 2:4-6

SUMMARY

Congregations are indebted to their leadership and obligated to materially support those who minister to them spiritually. They are to share all things with those who teach them the Word of God. The congregation must not limit spiritual ministers by restricting their material support.

Church leadership has the right to refrain from ’secular’ work and be materially supported by the congregation. Those who proclaim the gospel have the right to make their living by the gospel and receive material support for their work. Those who work hard at preaching and teaching and who perform their duties well may be supported to a greater degree than those leaders who do not serve as well. Not all leaders need to receive the same amount of material support.

Church leaders may assert their right for material support from the congregation, but this is a right, not a command. Each church leader can decide not to take advantage of material support by the congregation, depending on the circumstances. If accepting material support will limit the gospel ministry of the leader or the congregation then the leader must not take it, though they may make limited use of the right. The leadership must do what is best for the gospel and the congregation and they are not wrong in refusing the material support that is their due. The church leadership must not be a material burden on those they minister to.

1) The congregation is obligated to materially support the leadership.

2) The leadership has a right to be materially supported by the congregation.

3) The leadership may assert or decline their right to material support.

4) The leadership must not assert this right if it hinders the gospel or is a burden to the congregation.

5) The leadership may make limited use of material support.

 

Stand still, plant your feet firmly, and act. You are always in the right place at the right time.

 

The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. Daniel 11:32

In whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. 1 Corinthians 7:24

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. Philippians 1:27-28

See also; John 9:4, Romans 12:11, 1 Corinthians 7, 9:20-27, 10:31, 15:10, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 3:17-24, 4:5

Some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’” Luke 13:31-33