Transcript Qualifications of the Elder

Qualifications of the
Elder
Tim Bench
False Doctrines of Man
1-13-2015
The Elder

In recent years, previously long-held viewpoints and
traditions regarding the position of “elder” within the
church have undergone multiple changes, attacks, etc.
 At-fault men who have divorced, remarried, etc. have
been named elders. Men with disobedient children have
been named elders at numerous denominations. Women
have been appointed as elders. Homosexuals, singles,
and other groups have been deemed as worthy of
eldership, with the common statement that qualifications
Biblically were simply “cultural norms” of the day and
have no relevance to us now.
 The purpose of this study is to look explicitly at what the
Bible has to say about this invaluable church leader, and
to ignore current-day PC viewpoints.
1 Timothy 3:1-4
 “It
is a trustworthy statement: if any man
aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine
work he aspires to do. An overseer, then,
must be beyond reproach, the husband of
one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable,
hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to
wine or pugnacious, but gentle,
uncontentious, free from the love of
money…”
Terminology of “overseer”…
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“There are some five different Greek words that refer to
what we commonly call elders. From these we get the
terms overseer (Acts 20:28), elder (Acts 14:23),
shepherd (Ephesians 4:11), rule-over you (Romans
12:8), and lead (Hebrews 13:17)…
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From Olen Holderby’s “Duties of Elders”, Gospel Guardian, March 20, 1952.
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“Not every male member of the church can or does
qualify for the eldership…As an elder (Acts 20:17), he is
a man of some maturity and experience. As a pastor
(Ephesians 4:11), he is to feed the flock (Acts 20:28). As
a bishop (1 Timothy 3:21, Acts 20:2,8), he is an overseer,
superintendent, and watchman.”
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Excerpt from “Elders, Watchmen of the Church” by George T. Jones, Bible
Banner, vol. 10, number 9 (see at www.wordsfitlyspoken.org).
Does this mean that women are less important
than men within the church?
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Absolutely not.
Women are vital and important cogs of the church…but simply with
differing roles than men.
“Instead of bemoaning God’s chain of authority and dwelling
on what women cannot do, all should realize that there is more
that women can do than what God does not permit them to do
in the church. Women today are in the ministry-they are
servants-if they serve the church (Romans 16:1) and do good
works (1 Timothy 5:10); the same is equally true of men who,
though they themselves are not elders, deacons, or preachers,
also work for the church….Women are indispensible, but in the
role God ordained for them! So it is with men also-as God
ordained.”
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From “The Role of Women in the Church” by Louis Rushmore, May 2000 issue
of Gospel Gazette at www.gospelgazette.com.

See verses such as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, Romans 16:1, 1 Peter
3:1, Acts 1:4, Acts 12:12, 2 Timothy 1:5, etc. for examples of
importance of women’s roles in churches.
Points to take from 1 Timothy 3:1-4
Clearly, the potential “overseer” must be a man
(3:2), contrary to many faiths today. “The
husband…” is also specifically stated, further
indication that the post is ordained for men.
 Also of note is the term “any”, indicating that as
long as a man was qualified for the position, he
could serve, regardless of social and/or
economic background.
 Note that the position is a “fine work”….the office
will indeed involve diligent effort (see also 1
Timothy 5:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:13).

Points to take from 1 Timothy 3:1-4
“An overseer, then, must be…” indicates that the
qualifications are necessary and absolute and
not optional. This would seem to protect a
congregation from a man who is potentially no
longer qualified and is removed from the
position.
 “Above reproach…”, or one against whom no
charge of evildoing can be sustained. This does
NOT mean that the elder is sinless (see 1 John
1:8) but rather that the man acknowledges his
sins and shortcomings and corrects these sins.

“Of one wife…”
“Of one wife….” has become in recent years a
particularly sensitive topic for many within
churches.
 Many who have divorced and remarried will
state that this reference is directed at rampant
bigamy of the day….in other words, “of one wife”
means a man is not allowed multiple wives at
one time and thus is not referencing multiple
individual wives over a lifetime.
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“Of one wife…” v. polygamy
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“If the scriptures forbid polygamists to have
fellowship with the church (1 Corinthians 7:12) what would be the point of Paul telling
Timothy not to appoint them to the
eldership? If the elders are taken from the
membership of the church, and if church
membership would not tolerate polygamists,
how could this message be only a
condemnation of polygamy?”

From “Qualifications of the Elder” by Mark Dunagan, Beaverton, Oregon’s Fifth
Street Church of Christ at www.ch-of-christ.beaverton.or.us.
“Of one wife…”
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“Then what is Paul teaching us here? Perhaps if we had but this one
verse there could be some doubt as to whether Paul is condemning
polygamy or whether he is indicating that a bishop MUST be married
and to but ONE wife. But as we study further we see other
qualifications which would require that the bishop be a married man.
They are…
1) “One that ruleth well his own house…” (1 Timothy 8:4).
2) “…having his children in subjection with all gravity.” (1 Timothy
3:4).
How can a man rule well his own house if he has none? How can he
have his children in subjection if he has none? The answer, of
course, is obvious, he cannot….”

From “Husband of one wife” by Arthur Atkinson, Gospel Guardian, volume 4,
number 17, August 28, 1952.

“That he should be the husband of one wife, forbids having less than
one as clearly as it forbids having more than one.”
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From The Eldership by J. W. McGarvey, page 56.
What about an elder who has been
divorced?
Differing opinions exist on this issue…some suggest that
a man divorced (through no fault of his own) can be
named an elder, while others argue that if a man cannot
lead/effectively maintain his own home, how can he be
expected to lead the house of God? (see also 1 Timothy
3:5).
 “An elder is to be the “husband of one wife”. This would
certainly exclude him being a polygamist. It would also
exclude anyone who has remarried after an unscriptural
divorce (Matthew 19:9). Although a man might be
technically qualified if his divorce and remarriage were
scriptural, there would exist the practical problem of
dealing with the questions raised by those who wonder if
he really is the husband of one wife.”
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From “Elders and Deacons” at www.creekwoodcc.org (Church of Christ at
Creekwood).
Other necessary attributes…
“Temperate” (or “vigilant” as per the KJ); clearheaded, calm, common sense, not affected by
vanity and self-ego.
 “Prudent” (also appears in Titus 1:8); sensible,
able to curb one's desires, solid judgment.
 “Respectable”; dignified, respectful of order, not
clownish, rude, crude, or offensive to others.
 “Hospitable”; generous to guests and
demonstrating a love for strangers. A man with
an open heart and home, sociable.
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Other necessary attributes…
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“Able to teach…” (see also Titus 1:9); knowledgeable
and able to apply knowledge to conveying Word of God
to others.
“Not addicted to wine….”; not only abstain from
drunkenness, but this leadership position would
seemingly also necessitate setting an example for
others.
“Not pugnacious…”; contentious, quarrelsome,
aggressive men would not fit this description.
“The elder will often find himself in hostile
situations, and such a place is not for the person
who cannot control his temper….”1
1-Beaverton, OR Church of Christ lesson.
Other necessary attributes…
 “….gentle…”
and “uncontentious”; a man
who is fair, humble, and a problem-solver.
 “Free from the love of money…”; not
obsessed over worldly material
acquisitions, the elder’s main focus is
service to his flock, and more importantly
to God. Spiritual matters outweigh all
earthly matters.
What about an elder whose wife
dies?
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There are some who argue that if an elder’s wife dies, even though
he may have been a long and solid servant, he should resign his
post. Let’s look at an argument for an against such a position.
“…the scripturally qualified elder whose wife died is a good case in
point. This man was qualified while he was the husband of one wife.
When she died, he no longer possessed all the qualifications Paul
laid down to Timothy.”
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From “Husband of one wife: A Review” by Cecil Douthitt, Gospel Guardian,
September 4, 1952.
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“Does an elder become disqualified by the death of his wife? No
more so than he would become disqualified by the death of his
believing children. Once having met the qualifications concerning
wife and children an elder does not become disqualified solely be
the death of either.”
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From “Qualifications of Elders” by Delton Haun of Haun Publishing, Houston,
TX, page 9.
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Which of these opposing sides do you agree with?
Some of the awesome responsibilities
incurred…
“The elders are to stand ready at all times to guard the
church against false doctrines and teachers. As those
who declared themselves to be apostles at Ephesus
(Rev. 2) were exposed, so the eldership has the duty to
examine the teaching of any who teach the flock
privately or publicly and expose them with sound
doctrine ( Titus 1:9). They, by qualification, experience
and sound judgment, are to hold fast the faithful word
and expose false teachers. They are to safeguard the
church against all enemies within and without. Just as
the shepherd stands between the sheep and
threatening danger, so the elders stand between the
congregation and the forces of evil.”
“Bible
Teaching on the Eldership” by JP Miller, September 1964 issue of
Searching the Scriptures.
Summary
 NT
passages that provide information on
specific qualities of
elders/bishops/shepherds…
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Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, 1
Peter 5:1-5, Ephesians 4:11-16,
Hebrews 13:7, 17, John 13:1-20,
Matthew 20:20-28, Luke 22:24-27.