Qualifications for Elders – 1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1

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

ovre,getai, be eager for, long for, desire, aspire to, reach for the office, 1 Tim. 3:1 & evpiqumei/, long for, desire; covet the office, 1 Tim. 3:1

 

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

avne,gklhtoj, beyond reproach, without fault, not called to account, unreprovable, irreproachable, blameless, Titus 1:6 & avnepi,lhmpton, above reproach, 1 Tim. 3:2

 

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

mia/j gunaiko.j avnh,r, Literally – “with one wife husband” i.e., a husband with a wife, the husband of one wife, Titus 1:6 & mia/j gunaiko.j a;ndra, a one woman man, 1 Tim. 3:2

 

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 him.

tou/ ivdi,ou oi;kou kalw/j proi?sta,menon, in one’s own house he is a leader, has authority over, manages; cares for, gives help; engages in – 1 Tim. 3:4 & te,kna e;conta evn u`potagh/|( meta. pa,shj semno,thtoj , his children are kept in; obedience, submission, subordination, subjection, with all; seriousness, gravity, proper conduct, respectability – 1 Tim. 3:4 & te,kna e;cwn, having children, pista,, faithful, trustworthy, reliable; believing (often believer, Christian); sure, true, unfailing – Titus 1:6 & te,kna e;cwn, having children, … mh.evn kathgori,a|, not accused of; avswti,aj, dissipation, reckless living, wastefulness, profligacy, prodigiality nor h’ avnupo,takta, disorderly, disobedient; outside of one’s control, not made subject, not subject to rule, unruly, Titus 1:6

 

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

evgkrath/, self-controlled, master of self, Titus 1:8 & nhfa,lion, temperate, sober, 1 Tim. 3:2

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

a;macon, peaceable, peaceful, abstaining from fighting, non-combatant, not contentious, 1 Tim. 3:3 & mh., not, ovrgi,lon, quick-tempered, inclined to anger, passionate, Titus 1:7 & mh., not, plh,kthn, a quick-tempered or violent man, a striker, a brawler, 1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7

 

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

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

 

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

kalh.n, good, marturi,an, testimony, witness, evidence; reputation with those outside the church, 1 Tim. 3:7

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

didaktiko,n, able to teach, apt at teaching – 1 Tim. 3:2 & dunato.j, able to, strong, mighty, powerful: parakalei/n, call for, summon, entreat, evoke, beg, urge; encourage, speak words of encouragement; request, ask, appeal, to; console, comfort, cheer up; invite: didaskali,a|, what is taught, teaching, doctrine, instruction: u`giainou,sh|, sound, healthy, correct, well-grounded, Titus 1:9 & avntile,gontaj, contradict, object to, oppose, resist: evle,gcein, show fault/error, convict of fault/error, convince of fault/error; show (something) up for what it is; prove guilty, condemn; rebuke, reprove, Titus 1:9

 

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, loyal to the teaching of the faithful word, Titus 1:9

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

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

(NAS) 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

(ESV) He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught

 

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

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

 

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

mh., not, aivscrokerdh/, greedy for material gain, Titus 1:7 & avfila,rguron, not greedy for money, without love of money, 1 Tim. 3:3

 

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

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

 

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

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