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Scripture Reading: 1 Tim. 3:1-7
In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 the apostle Paul writes concerning the requirements of the overseers, which are the qualifications of the elders. Verses 2 and 3 concern mostly virtues and proper conduct, or the manifestation and expression of what the elders are in life. In verses 4 through 7 Paul addresses the elders’ human relationships. Every human being has human relationships. We have a family, and we live in a community. An overseer in the church must take care to have proper relationships with others.
The first kind of relationships in human life is family relationships. Verse 4 says, “One who manages well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.” Managing one’s house is a matter of taking the lead, but Paul’s concept here is not mainly related to authority. As a husband and father, an overseer should take the lead in his family not merely by ruling but by establishing a good example and pattern. A family is not like a government or an organization, which are led by authority. A father’s leadership in his family should not mainly be based on his ruling with authority but should instead be based on the pattern of his daily living. Similarly, to be an elder does not mean to rule the church with authority. This concept is absolutely wrong. A father’s management of his family is very different from a supervisor’s management of a business. A supervisor may hire and fire employees, but a father cannot hire or fire his children. The basic need in a family is the father’s example. As a father, an elder must live properly before his family. This is the proper way to manage one’s house. In our home we should not try to exercise our authority as a king, law officer, administrator, or school principal. Paul’s concept in this section concerns the overseers’ daily living. It does not work to merely discipline our children. God’s ordained principle is that a father must live a life that is a pattern, an example, to his children.
As overseers, we must take the lead in our family by presenting a pattern in our living. This is our duty. However, if our children are in subjection with all gravity, we should not think that it is because of our doing; instead, we have to worship the Lord for His mercy. Although the disposition of our children is not under our control, this does not mean we can neglect our duties to live as an example and to spend as much time and energy as we can on our children. Nevertheless, we must realize that the way our children turn out ultimately depends on the Lord’s mercy. We know that this is true, because if two children are siblings and are raised by the same parents with the same care, they may still turn out very different. One may have a good character and become a seeking believer, while the other may have a poor character and not even be saved. Therefore, we must do our duty to live a proper life as an example to our children, but we should not be discouraged or proud because of how our children turn out.
Paul’s word concerning an overseer’s children in verse 4 does not involve salvation or spirituality. We should be a good example to our children, but whether or not they will eventually be saved depends on God’s predestination. Jacob and Esau were twins, but Romans 9:10-13 shows that their destiny depended on God’s selection. We cannot cause our children or anyone else to be spiritual, but we can establish an example by living a sober, temperate, and orderly life and by seeking the Lord. If two flesh brothers listen to the same gospel message, one may be saved, but the other may not. We have seen cases like this. Therefore, we must be zealous in preaching the gospel and convincing people to receive the Lord, but we must also realize that a person’s salvation ultimately depends not on our effort but on God’s predestination. We should not think that because it depends on God’s predestination, we do not need to preach the gospel. We must do our duty. Similarly, we should not assume that our children will behave well if we are a good example, nor should we neglect our duty. The best and most proper way to be a parent is to live as an example to our children and pray for the Lord’s mercy.
If our living establishes a proper standard, we are not liable if our children behave badly. However, if we do not live as a pattern, our children’s bad behavior is our responsibility. If they are good, the credit does not go to us, but if they are bad, we receive the “debit.” This is the divine accounting. We should not say that God is not fair. Romans 9:20 says, “O man, who are you who answer back to God? Shall the thing molded say to him who molded it, Why did you make me thus?” We cannot argue with God. If our children behave well and are eventually saved and live before the Lord, we must worship the Lord, saying, “Lord, I am nothing. Even my best behavior is like dust; it means nothing. I can only thank You for Your mercy.” We should not ascribe anything to our goodness. We have to acknowledge God’s predestination, His mercy, and His grace. If our children begin to live sinfully, we must humble ourselves, praying, “Lord, forgive me. I accept the blame because I may have neglected to adequately care for them in some aspect.” This must be our attitude.
Paul’s concept in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 concerns the overseers’ living. Whether our children behave well is secondary; the primary matter is whether we have a proper living. We must take the lead and manage our family well by having a living that presents a positive pattern to them. This depends on what we are; it is a matter of life.
Verse 5 says, “If one does not know how to manage his own house, how will he care for the church of God?” This indicates that the way for an elder to care for the church is also to be an example. This principle corresponds with Peter’s teaching. In 1 Peter 5:3 he wrote to the elders, “Nor as lording it over your allotments but by becoming patterns of the flock.” If we cannot be a good example to our children, we cannot be a good example in the church. Paul’s basic concept is that the elders should lead not by ruling with authority but by being a living example so that the other members of the church can follow. In order to care for the church, we must drop our natural concepts. To care for the church is not mainly a matter of administration. The New Testament reveals that the eldership is not a matter of ruling with authority but of being an example. According to the New Testament, to be an elder is not a matter of position or authority but altogether a matter of life. We must establish an example by our living. In order to be a good example, we must love the Lord and His Word, deal with sins, hate the self, and learn the lessons of the cross. Caring for the church is not mainly a matter of business affairs but a matter of life. If we lack life, our service in the business affairs of the church is meaningless. Everything we do related to the church must be based on life.
If the elders live a life with a high standard, this will be an example to the other saints. When childish or fleshly brothers rebuke the elders, the elders should not defend themselves but continue to express love to those brothers. This will establish an example for the whole church of denying the self and of not being offended by weaker members but loving such ones. The whole church will learn of this. On the other hand, if an elder goes to see movies, other members will begin to do likewise. Those who do not go will not respect the brother’s eldership. Thus, an elder’s care for the church is very similar to a father’s care for his family. A father cannot have a good family simply by ruling with authority based on his position. Instead, he must live a life that is a standard to his children and that convicts their conscience. In the same principle, the overseers care for the church not by ruling with authority according to position but by living a life as a standard, an example, which the saints will spontaneously follow, just as a flock of sheep always follows the first few sheep. We must reject the concept that the elders “run” the church. Even the Lord Jesus took the way of setting up an example for us to follow (John 13:15; Matt. 11:29; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Pet. 2:21). Hence, in order to care for the church as overseers, we must be like fathers who care for their family not by ruling with authority but by living as examples. Paul writes that a brother must be able to do this with his family before he can do it with the church.
First Timothy 3:6 says, “Not a new convert, lest being blinded with pride he fall into the judgment suffered by the devil.” This is also related to human relationships, for we cannot be proud if we are alone. When a person is appointed to a special position in a group, the larger the group is, the easier it is for the person to become proud. A new convert should not be an overseer. Although we may not be a new convert, we must see the principle that we must be careful not to become proud when we first become an elder.
In the New Testament there is no indication that there is the need of an apprenticeship for someone to become an elder. However, in the Old Testament there was a five-year apprenticeship for the priesthood. The Levites began learning to be a priest when they were twenty-five years of age (Num. 8:24). Then when they were thirty, they were qualified to serve in the tabernacle (4:3). Based on this principle, when a brother is first appointed as an elder, he should consider himself to be only an apprentice who is learning. In an established church that has a sufficient number of elders, it is good to have two or three apprentices helping the elders and learning from them how to care for the church. Eventually, these apprentices can become proper elders. In a new local church the leading ones should consider themselves only as learning apprentices. This will preserve them.
Pride makes us blind. If an elder becomes proud, he will suffer the same condemnation as the devil. Lucifer was placed in a high position, but he became proud of his position and earned God’s condemnation and judgment. When the apostle Paul was writing this portion in 1 Timothy, he probably had in mind Isaiah 14:12-15, which describes Satan’s pride and ambition and God’s judgment of him (cf. Ezek. 28:14-19; Jude 9). Paul’s word is a warning to new elders to be careful not to be proud. If an elder is proud, he will follow Satan as a rebel against God’s government and authority and will suffer the same judgment. Those who are taking the lead in the churches must be in fear and trembling, praying that the Lord will preserve them from any kind of pride. We must not consider that we are in a higher position or have a higher rank than others. Especially the younger brothers must learn to be humble in the church, in the meetings, and in contacting others.
First Timothy 3:7 says, “He also must have a good testimony from those outside, that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” Those outside are our neighbors, relatives, and acquaintances who are not in the church. We must have a good testimony from such ones concerning our daily living and walk. This is altogether not a matter of ability but a matter of life; it concerns who we are in our conduct, character, and living among others, even those outside.
If we do not have a good testimony from those outside, we will fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. The apostle Paul indicates that Satan uses the pride of youth and the reproach from the outsiders to damage us. If we do not have a good testimony before the outsiders, Satan will use this reproach as a snare to entangle us. Paul’s concept is that we must establish a good example for our family and be careful in our walk before the outsiders. We must not give them any opportunity to say something negative about us so that we will not be ensnared, disappointed, or discouraged, which may damage, spoil, or destroy us for the eldership.
In verses 6 and 7 Paul does not use the word Satan, which means “the adversary.” Instead, he twice uses the word devil, which means “slanderer.” Not much slandering will come to a brother who is not an elder, but once he becomes an elder in the church, the devil will try to trap and damage him through slander. The devil being mentioned twice in these few verses indicates strongly that he hates for anyone to be an elder, and he hates that there are proper elders in the church. He tries to damage every elder. In other words, once we become an elder, we become a target of Satan. Satan will try to damage us through our pride or the reproach of others. The reproach of others can greatly disappoint and damage us. If we lose our temper in front of a relative, that one will be utilized by Satan to tell others of our failure. Such a poor testimony will discourage, disappoint, and eventually damage us for the eldership. We must not be proud so that we may not fall into the judgment suffered by the devil, and we must also be careful not to earn the reproach of the outsiders, which is the snare of the devil. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul’s burden concerns not our ability but our life, living, and being. His word clearly indicates that Satan does not damage us in our work or our ability but in our life, living, and conduct.
For past mistakes we need to follow the Lord’s leading to make restitution. In order to clear up the situation, we must confess to those whom we offended and even to those who were merely present when we offended someone else. Especially the overseers should do this. If I lose my temper with my wife in the presence of others, I must first confess to my wife, and then go to the others, and in the presence of my wife ask them to forgive me, testifying to them that the Lord has touched my conscience. This will remove a bad impression. For the future we must look to the Lord, realizing that it is by His mercy that we are an elder. We must be careful because Satan will continually seek opportunity to damage us as those who care for God’s house, the church. The elders must pray, “Lord, deliver me from any temptation, and keep me from the evil one and evil things.” Especially the new elders have to pray very much for their eldership. Paul’s word reveals that there is a battle regarding the eldership because the devil seeks to ruin every elder.
Question: Can an elder retire?
Answer: The Bible does not say that an elder can retire. Just as a husband and father cannot retire, neither can an elder retire, for these are all matters of life. Furthermore, our real usefulness begins at eighty. Moses began to be used by the Lord at eighty (Exo. 7:7). However, because there are always several elders in a church, the older ones do not need to overly exert themselves, for the younger elders can bear the practical burdens. The older ones do not have much physical strength or energy, but their experiences are valuable and greatly needed. Brother Watchman Nee once told me that it is a great loss when the old saints pass away. He said that the recovery needs many saints to live beyond eighty years of age, because we need their testimonies concerning their experiences in life. We need to take care of our physical health so that we can live longer for the sake of the church.
It is dangerous for an elder to leave the eldership. We should either enter the eldership for life or not enter at all. We must look to the Lord to make us willing to continue serving in this function at any cost. The thought of retirement is somewhat natural. The older we are, the more positive we should be about our service. This does not mean that we should do more, but it is a great help in any situation if we will speak of our experiences. There are several overseers in each church, and the older and younger ones have different portions. Nothing can replace the lessons learned from experiences. These are the riches of the church.
Question: What is the best way to carry out an apprenticeship for the eldership?
Answer: We must be careful not to do this quickly. We need to do all such things in the church continually but gradually. When brothers are first brought into the meetings of the elders as apprentices, they should only observe to learn. Occasionally, the elders may ask them to do something. Learning in an apprenticeship does not come mainly from teaching and instruction but from observation.
Question: How do we cultivate the proper aspiration for the overseership?
Answer: First Timothy 3:1 indicates that it is good to aspire to the overseership. This means that for the future of a local church several brothers in the church should have the aspiration that one day they could bear the responsibility of the eldership. This aspiration is different from ambition. Although we need to cultivate the proper aspiration for the eldership, we must condemn ambition. The older elders should bear the responsibility to pray, “Lord, raise up more proper, useful brothers to bear the burden of the church.” Some brothers may be promising and good for the eldership yet lack the aspiration. Therefore, we need to pray for them. The proper aspiration comes mainly from others’ prayer.
Question: In considering a brother for the eldership, should we take into account his reputation before he was saved?
Answer: Whether we did something wrong before we were saved or after, we should make a thorough restitution with all those involved in our life. If a man steals before he is saved, once he becomes a believer, he must make restitution to those from whom he stole. If he does not make restitution and eventually becomes a leading one in the church, others will reproach him.
We need to distinguish slander from reproach. Reproach means that we are criticized because of some sin, error, mistake, or wrongdoing. Slander is when we are falsely accused or ill spoken of simply because we have become a believer or come into the church. If we are criticized for wrongdoings that we have not dealt with, this is reproach, but if we are slandered for following the Lord, this is a good testimony. Those who slander us know deep in their conscience that we are taking the right way. Even if others revile us when we make restitution to them for past offenses, their conscience will bear testimony to them that we are right.
Question: How can an elder who is a father care for his family and also be always available to help the saints?
Answer: To be an overseer is difficult. The most helpful thing for children is for their parents to spend time with them. To sit with them, observe what they are doing, and instruct them is the best encouragement to them and prevents them from being idle. Sometimes we need to have free talks with them about wide-ranging subjects. If we do, they will be happy. All children like to learn. The need with our children is endless. The more time we spend with them, the better. We should allow them to join in our daily activities, and we should join them in their activities. However, an elder also needs to be available to help the saints. In order to care for both these needs, we must learn to fellowship with the Lord and follow His leading. What I have shared concerning the eldership are principles. We need the Lord’s leading for specific situations.
We need to be impressed that the eldership is altogether a matter of life. It depends not on what we do but on what we are and how we live. We can retire from doing something, but we cannot retire from what we are. The care for the churches is not a matter of business but a matter of life. Therefore, those who aspire to the eldership need to learn mainly not how to do things but the way to live a life of a high standard. The requirements in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 are altogether related to what we are and to the way we live.
