Reflections on 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 03 (Contemporary English Version)


1. It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile.
2. That's why officials must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage. They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved, friendly to strangers, and able to teach.
3. They must not be heavy drinkers or troublemakers. Instead, they must be kind and gentle and not love money.
4. Church officials must be in control of their own families, and they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful.
5. If they don't know how to control their own families, how can they look after God's people?
6. They must not be new followers of the Lord. If they are, they might become proud and be doomed along with the devil.
7. Finally, they must be well-respected by people who are not followers. Then they won't be trapped and disgraced by the devil.
8. Church officers should be serious. They must not be liars, heavy drinkers, or greedy for money.
9. And they must have a clear conscience and hold firmly to what God has shown us about our faith.
10. They must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.
11. Women must also be serious. They must not gossip or be heavy drinkers, and they must be faithful in everything they do.
12. Church officers must be faithful in marriage. They must be in full control of their children and everyone else in their home.
13. Those who serve well as officers will earn a good reputation and will be highly respected for their faith in Christ Jesus.
14. I hope to visit you soon. But I am writing these instructions,
15. so that if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God's family ought to behave. After all, the church of the living God is the strong foundation of truth.
16. Here is the great mystery of our religion: Christ came as a human. The Spirit proved that he pleased God, and he was seen by angels. Christ was preached to the nations. People in this world put their faith in him, and he was taken up to glory.
    
    

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    Paul had gone on to Macedonia leaving Timothy at Ephesus to give leadership in the church and deal with false teachers. Thus this letter provides instructions to Timothy about his task at Ephesus besides lending him Paul's authority for his leadership. The Ephesian church would no doubt read the letter and know from where Timothy's instructions to them were coming. So with the intent of teaching both Timothy and the Ephesian church, Paul now gives instructions concerning church leaders. In particular, qualifications for pastors and deacons. These qualifications are of particular importance in light of the false teachers stirring up the Ephesian church.
    
    Paul lists 15 qualifications for pastors that cover his character (above reproach, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, good reputation), his moral conduct (husband of one wife, not addicted to wine), his grasp of scripture (able teacher), his relationship with others (not a bully, not quarrelsome), his motives (not greedy), his home life (competent manager of household), and his maturity (not new convert). He begins by saying it is a good thing for one to aspire to be a pastor for it is a "noble work." But aspiration does not, in itself, qualify one to be a pastor. For starters, his character must be above reproach being self-controlled and sensible and respectiable. Actually, his being above reproach could be applied to all the other requirement: above reproach in his marital status, in his self-controll, etc. If the order in the list is based on importance, the pastor's marital status is second in importance to being "above reproach." Being a one-woman man is significant if he is to be above reproach or be respected, or have a good reputation. Furthermore, it has carryover into paganism and moral issues. Only the man who has come out of these practices need be pastor. There a number of interpretations regarding this requirement for being "the husband of one wife." It no doubt prohibits polygamy and promiscuity, but does it also prohibit a remarried divorcee? If so, does it also prohibit a remarried widower? Is it referring to being married to only one woman simultaneously or throughout his life? It is amazing how dogmatic some become and to what lengths they will go regarding beliefs based on ambiguous statements in scripture while compromising on teaching about which scripture is clear.
    
    Next Paul addresses qualifications for the role of deacon. Though this list is shorter than that for pastor, it is similar. They, too, should be worthy of respect, not drunkards, not greedy for money, one-woman men, and competent managers of their households. They should not be hypocritical, in other words, they should be what they profess to be. There is a statement in the middle of these qualifications regarding wives that is not found in the qualifications for pastors. Historically this has been translated and understood to refer to the wives of deacons. However, the Greek word is literally "women" and is thus translated in the ASV, CEV, MSG and others. This should not be assumed, out of hand, to refer to the wives of deacons. It could refer to women deacons. However, the interpretation by some of the role of women in the chuch will not allow them this possibility. While dogmatism may come from good intentions, it ultimately leads to error when applied in areas in which scripture is not clear or is misapplied.
    
    When applying these qualification in choosing church leaders, we prefer to make as objective a process as possible, freeing us of error in judgment. But there is considerable subjectiveness to these lists which we cannot avoid. They are wise guidelines, however, that we should attempt to apply as closely as possible.