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Verses116
Chapter3
THELEADERSOFTHECHURCH(1Timothy3:17)
3:17Thereisasayingwhicheveryonemustbelieveifaman
aspirestotheofficeofoverseerintheChurch,itisafineworkon
whichhisheartisset.Anoverseermustbeamanagainstwhomno
criticismcanbemadehemusthavebeenmarriedonlyoncehe
mustbesober,prudent,wellbehaved,hospitableandpossessedof
anaptitudeforteaching.Hemustnotoverindulgeinwine,normust
hebethekindofmanwhoassaultsothers,buthemustbegentle
andpeaceable,andfreefromtheloveofmoney.Hemustmanage
hisownhousewell,keepinghischildrenundercontrolwithcomplete
dignity.(Ifamandoesnotknowhowtomanagehisownhouse,how
canhetakechargeofthecongregationofGod?)Hemustnotbea
recentconvert,incasehebecomesinflatedwithasenseofhisown
importance,andsofallintothesamecondemnationasthedevildid.
HemusthaveearnedtherespectofthoseoutsidetheChurch,that
hemaynotfallintoreproachandintothesnareofthedevil.
ThisisaveryimportantpassagefromthepointofviewofChurch
government.ItdealswiththemanwhomtheKingJamesandRevised
StandardVersionscallthebishop,andwhomwehavetranslatedoverseer.
IntheNewTestamenttherearetwowordswhichdescribetheprincipal
officebearersoftheChurch,theofficebearerswhoweretobefoundin
everycongregation,andonwhoseconductandadministrationitswelfare
depended.
(i)Therewasthemanwhowascalledtheelder(presbuteros,Greek#4245).
TheeldershipisthemostancientofallofficeswithintheChurch.TheJews
hadtheirelders,andtheytracedtheirorigintotheoccasionwhenMoses,in
thedesertwanderings,appointedseventymentohelphiminthetaskof
controllingandcaringforthepeople(Numbers11:16).Everysynagoguehad
itselders,andtheyweretherealleadersoftheJewishcommunity.They
presidedovertheworshipofthesynagoguetheyadministeredrebukeand
disciplinewherethesewerenecessarytheysettledthedisputeswhich
othernationswouldhavetakentothelawcourts.AmongsttheJewsthe
eldersweretherespectedmenwhoexercisedafatherlyoversightoverthe
spiritualandmaterialaffairsofeveryJewishcommunity.Butmorenations
thantheJewshadaneldership.ThepresidingbodyoftheSpartanswas
calledthegerousia(Greek#1087),whichmeanstheboardoftheeldermen.
TheParliamentofRomewascalledthesenate,whichcomesfromsenex,
whichmeansanoldman.InEnglandthemenwholookedaftertheaffairsof
thecommunitywerecalledthealdermen,whichmeanstheeldermen.In
NewTestamenttimeseveryEgyptianvillagehaditsvillageelderswho
lookedaftertheaffairsofthecommunity.Theeldershadalonghistory,and
theyhadaplaceinthelifeofalmosteverycommunity.
(ii)ButsometimestheNewTestamentusesanotherword,episkopos
(Greek#1985),whichtheKingJamesandRevisedStandardVersions
translatebishop,andwhichliterallymeansoverseer,orsuperintendent.This
word,too,hasalongandhonourablehistory.TheSeptuagint,theGreek

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versionoftheHebrewscriptures,usesittodescribethosewhowerethetaskmasters,whowereoverthe
publicworksandpublicbuildingschemes(2Chronicles34:17).TheGreeksuseittodescribethemen
appointedtogooutfromthemothercitytoregulatetheaffairsofanewlyfoundedcolonyinsomedistant
place.Theyuseittodescribewhatwemightcallcommissionersappointedtoregulatetheaffairsofa
city.TheRomansuseittodescribethemagistratesappointedtooverseethesaleoffoodwithinthecity
ofRome.Itisusedofthespecialdelegatesappointedbyakingtoseethatthelawshehadlaiddown
werecarriedout.Episkopos(Greek#1985)alwaysimpliestwothingsfirst,oversightoversomeareaor
sphereofworkandsecond,responsibilitytosomehigherpowerandauthority.
Thegreatquestionis:WhatwastherelationshipintheearlyChurchbetweentheelder,thepresbuteros
(Greek#4245),andtheoverseer,theepiskopos(Greek#1985)?
ModernscholarshipispracticallyunanimousinholdingthatintheearlyChurchthepresbuteros(Greek
#4245)andtheepiskopos(Greek#1985)wereoneandthesame.Thegroundsforthatidentificationare:
(a)Elderswereeverywhereappointed.Afterthefirstmissionaryjourney,PaulandBarnabasappointed
eldersinalltheChurchestheyhadfounded(Acts14:23).Titusisinstructedtoappointandordainelders
inallthecitiesofCrete(Titus1:5).(b)Thequalificationsofapresbuteros(Greek#4245)andofan
episkopos(Greek#1985)aretoallintentsandpurposesidentical(1Timothy3:27Titus1:69).(c)Atthe
beginningofPhilippians,Paul'sgreetingsaretothebishopsandthedeacons(Philippians1:1).Itisquite
impossiblethatPaulwouldhavesentnogreetingsatalltotheelders,who,aswehavealreadyseen,
wereineveryChurchandthereforethebishopsandtheeldersmustbeoneandthesamebodyof
people.(d)WhenPaulwasonhislastjourneytoJerusalem,hesentfortheeldersofEphesustomeet
himatMiletus(Acts20:17),andinthecourseofhistalktothemhesaysthatGodhasmadethem
episkopoi(Greek#1985)tofeedtheChurchofGod(Acts20:28).Thatistosay,headdressesprecisely
thesamebodyofmenfirstaseldersandsecondasbishopsoroverseers.(e)WhenPeteriswritingtohis
people,hetalkstothemasaneldertoelders(1Peter5:1),andthenhegoesontosaythattheirfunction
isoversightoftheflockofGod(1Peter5:2),andthewordheusesforoversight,istheverbepiskopein
(Greek#1983)fromwhichepiskopos(Greek#1985)comes.AlltheevidencefromtheNewTestament
goestoprovethatthepresbuteros(Greek#4245)andtheepiskopos(Greek#1985),theelderandthe
bishoporoverseer,wereoneandthesameperson.
Twoquestionsarise.First,iftheywerethesame,whyweretheretwonamesforthem?Theansweris
thatpresbuteros(Greek#4245)describedtheseleadersoftheChurchastheypersonallywere.They
weretheeldermen,theolderandrespectedmembersofthecommunity.Episkopos(Greek#1985),on
theotherhand,describedtheirfunction,whichwastooverseethelifeandtheworkoftheChurch.The
oneworddescribedthemantheotherdescribedhistask.
Thesecondquestionisiftheelderandthebishopwereoriginallythesame,howdidthebishopbecome
whathedid?Theanswerissimple.Inevitablythebodyoftheelderswouldacquirealeader.Someoneto
leadwouldbeessentialandwouldinevitablyemerge.ThemoreorganizedtheChurchbecame,themore
suchafigurewouldbeboundtoarise.Andtheelderwhostoodoutasleadercametobecalledthe
episkopos(Greek#1985),thesuperintendentoftheChurch.Butitistobenotedthathewassimplya
leaderamongstequals.Hewasinfacttheelderwhomcircumstancesandpersonalqualitieshad
combinedtomakealeaderfortheworkoftheChurch.
Itwillbeseenthattotranslateepiskopos(Greek#1985)bythewordbishopintheNewTestamentnow
givesthewordamisleadingmeaning.Itisbettertotranslateitoverseerorsuperintendent.
THEAPPOINTMENTANDDUTIESOFTHELEADERSINTHECHURCH(1Timothy3:17continued)
Thispassageisfurtherinterestinginthatittellsussomethingoftheappointmentandthedutiesofthe
leadersoftheChurch.
(i)Theywereformallysetapartfortheiroffice.TituswastoordaineldersineveryChurch(Titus1:5).The
officebeareroftheChurchisnotmadeanofficebearerinsecretheissetapartbeforetheeyesofmen
thehonouroftheChurchispubliclydeliveredintohishands.
(ii)Theyhadtoundergoaperiodoftesting.Theyhadfirsttobeproved(1Timothy3:10).Noonebuildsa
bridgeorapieceofmachinerywithmetalwhichhasnotbeentested.TheChurchmightdowelltobe
morestrictthansheisinthetestingofthosechosenforleadership.
(iii)Theywerepaidfortheworkwhichtheyhadtodo.Thelabourerwasworthyofhishire(1Timothy
5:18).TheChristianleaderdoesnotworkforpay,but,ontheotherhand,thedutyoftheChurchwhich
chosehimfortheworkistosupplyhimwiththemeanstolive.
(iv)Theywereliabletocensure(1Timothy5:1922).IntheearlyChurchtheofficebearerhadadouble
function.HewasaleaderoftheChurchbuthewasalsotheservantoftheChurch.Hehadtoanswerfor
hisstewardship.NoChristianofficebearermusteverconsiderhimselfanswerabletonooneheis
answerabletoGodandtothepeopleoverwhomGodgavehimthetaskofpresiding.
(v)TheyhadthedutyofpresidingovertheChristianassemblyandofteachingtheChristiancongregation
(1Timothy5:17).TheChristianofficebearerhasthedoubledutyofadministrationandinstruction.Itmay
wellbethatoneofthetragediesofthemodernChurchisthattheadministrativefunctionoftheoffice
bearerhasusurpedtheteachingfunctionalmostentirely.Itis,forinstance,sadtoseehowfeweldersof
theChurchareactivelyengagedintheteachingworkofSundayschools.
(vi)Theofficebearerwasnottobearecentconvert.Tworeasonsaregivenforthisadvice.Thefirstis
quiteclear.Itis"incasehebecomesinflatedwithasenseofhisownimportance."Thesecondisnotso
clear.Itis,astheRevisedStandardVersionhasit,"lesthefallintothecondemnationofthedevil."There
arethreepossibleexplanationsofthatstrangephrase.(a)ItwasthroughhispridethatLuciferrebelled
againstGodandwasexpelledfromheaven.Andthismaysimplybeasecondwarningagainstthedanger
ofpride.(b)Itmaymeanthat,ifthetooquicklyadvancedconvertbecomesguiltyofpride,hegivesthe
devilachancetolevelhischargesagainsthim.AconceitedChurchofficebearergivesthedevila
chancetosaytocriticsoftheChurch:"Look!There'syourChristian!There'syourChurchmember!That's
whatanofficebearerislike!"(c)Theworddiabolos(Greek#1228)hastwomeanings.Itmeans"Devil,"
andthatisthewayinwhichtheRevisedStandardVersionhastakenitherebutitalsomeans
"slanderer."Itisinfactthewordusedforslandererin1Timothy3:11,wherethewomenareforbiddento
beslanderers.Sothenthisphrasemaymeanthattherecentconvert,whohasbeenappointedtooffice,
andhasacquired,aswesay,aswelledhead,givesopportunitytotheslanderers.Hisunworthyconduct

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isammunitionforthosewhoareilldisposedtotheChurch.Nomatterhowwetakeit,thepointisthatthe
conceitedChurchofficialisabaddebttotheChurch.
But,astheearlyChurchsawit,theresponsibilityoftheofficebearerdidnotbeginandendintheChurch.
Hehadtwootherspheresofresponsibility,andifhefailedinthem,hewasboundalsotofailinthe
Church.
(i)Hisfirstsphereofdutywashisownhome.Ifamandidnotknowhowtorulehisownhousehold,how
couldheengageuponthetaskofrulingthecongregationoftheChurch?(1Timothy3:5).Amanwhohad
notsucceededinmakingaChristianhomecouldhardlybeexpectedtosucceedinmakingaChristian
congregation.Amanwhohadnotinstructedhisownfamilycouldhardlybetherightmantoinstructthe
familyoftheChurch.
(ii)Thesecondsphereofresponsibilitywastheworld.Hemustbe"wellthoughtofbyoutsiders"(1
Timothy3:7).Hemustbeamanwhohasgainedtherespectofhisfellowmeninthedaytodaybusiness
oflife.NothinghashurttheChurchmorethanthesightofpeoplewhoareactiveinit,whosebusiness
andsociallifebeliesthefaithwhichtheyprofessandthepreceptswhichtheyteach.TheChristianoffice
bearermustfirstofallbeagoodman.
THECHARACTEROFTHECHRISTIANLEADER(1Timothy3:17continued)
WehavejustseenthattheChristianleadermustbeamanwhohaswontherespectofall.Inthis
passagethereisagreatseriesofwordsandphrasesdescribinghischaracteranditwillbeworthwhileto
lookateachinturn.Beforewedothatitwillbeinterestingtosetbesidethemtwofamousdescriptionsby
greatheathenthinkersofthegoodleader'scharacter.DiogenesLaertius(7:116126)handsdowntous
theStoicdescription.Hemustbemarriedhemustbewithoutpridehemustbetemperateandhemust
combineprudenceofmindwithexcellenceofoutwardbehaviour.AwritercalledOnosandergivesusthe
other.Hemustbeprudent,selfcontrolled,sober,frugal,enduringintoil,intelligent,withoutloveof
money,neitheryoungnorold,ifpossiblethefatherofafamily,abletospeakcompetently,andofgood
reputation.ItisinterestingtoseehowthepaganandtheChristiandescriptionscoincide.
TheChristianleadermustbeamanagainstwhomnocriticismcanbemade(anepileptos,Greek#423).
Anepileptosisusedofapositionwhichisnotopentoattack,ofalifewhichisnotopentocensure,ofan
artortechniquewhichissoperfectthatnofaultcanbefoundwithit,ofanagreementwhichisinviolable.
TheChristianleadermustnotonlybefreefromsuchfaultsascanbeassailedbydefinitechargeshe
mustbeofsuchfinecharacterastobeevenbeyondcriticism.TheRheimsversionoftheNew
TestamenttranslatesthisGreekwordbytheveryunusualEnglishwordirreprehensible,unabletobe
foundfaultwith.TheGreeksthemselvesdefinedthewordasmeaning"affordingnothingofwhichan
adversarycantakehold."Hereistheidealofperfection.Wewillnotbeablefullytoattaintoitbutthe
factremainsthattheChristianleadermustseektooffertotheworldalifeofsuchpuritythatheleaves
noloopholeevenforcriticismofhimself.
TheChristianleadermusthavebeenmarriedonlyonce.TheGreekliterallymeansthathemustbe"the
husbandofonewife."SometakethistomeanthattheChristianleadermustbeamarriedman,anditis
possiblethatthephrasecouldmeanthat.Itiscertainlytruethatamarriedmancanbearecipientof
confidencesandabringerofhelpinawaythatasinglemancannotbe,andthathecanbringaspecial
understandingandsympathytomanyasituation.SomefewtakeittomeanthattheChristianleader
cannotmarryasecondtime,evenafterhiswife'sdeath.InsupporttheyquotePaul'steachingin1
Corinthians7:140.Butinitscontextherewecanbequitecertainthatthephrasemeansthatthe
Christianleadermustbealoyalhusband,preservingmarriageinallitspurity.InlaterdaystheApostolic
Canonslaiditdown:"Hewhoisinvolvedintwomarriages,afterhisbaptism,orhewhohastakena
concubine,cannotbeanepiskopos(Greek#1985),abishop."
Wemaywellaskwhyitshouldbenecessarytolaydownwhatlooksobvious.Wemustunderstandthe
stateoftheworldinwhichthiswaswritten.Ithasbeensaid,andwithmuchtruth,thattheonlytotally
newvirtuewhichChristianitybroughtintothisworldwaschastity.Inmanywaystheancientworldwasin
astateofmoralchaos,eventheJewishworld.Astonishingasitmayseem,certainJewsstillpractised
polygamy.IntheDialoguewithTrypho,inwhichJustinMartyrdiscussesChristianitywithaJew,itissaid
that"itispossibleforaJewevennowtohavefourorfivewives"(DialoguewithTrypho,134).Josephus
canwrite:"Byancestralcustomamancanlivewithmorethanonewife"(AntiquitiesoftheJews,17:1,
2).
Apartaltogetherfromtheseunusualcases,divorcewastragicallyeasyintheJewishworld.TheJews
hadthehighestidealsofmarriage.Theysaidthatamanmustsurrenderhisliferatherthancommit
murder,idolatryoradultery.Theyhadthebeliefthatmarriagesaremadeinheaven.Inthestoryofthe
marriageofIsaacandRebeccaitissaid:"ThethingcomesfromtheLord"(Genesis24:50).Thiswas
takentomeanthatthemarriagewasarrangedbyGod.SoitissaidinProverbs19:14:"Aprudentwifeis
fromtheLord."InthestoryofTobit,theangelsaystoTobit:"Fearnotforshewaspreparedfortheefrom
thebeginning"(Tobit6:17).TheRabbissaid:"Godsitsinheavenarrangingmarriages.""Fortydays
beforethechildisformedaheavenlyvoiceproclaimsitsmate."
Forallthat,theJewishlawalloweddivorce.Marriagewasindeedtheidealbutdivorcewaspermitted.
Marriagewas"inviolablebutnotindissoluble."TheJewsheldthatoncethemarriageidealhadbeen
shatteredbycrueltyorinfidelityorincompatibility,itwasfarbettertoallowadivorceandtopermitthetwo
tomakeafreshstart.Thegreattragedywasthatthewifehadnorightswhatsoever.Josephussays:
"Withusitislawfulforahusbandtodissolveamarriage,butawife,ifshedepartsfromherhusband,
cannotmarryanother,unlessherformerhusbandputheraway"(AntiquitiesoftheJews,15:8,7).Ina
caseofdivorcebyconsent,inthetimeoftheNewTestament,allthatwasrequiredwastwowitnesses,
andnocourtcaseatall.Ahusbandcouldsendhiswifeawayforanycauseatthemostawifecould
petitionthecourttourgeherhusbandtowriteherabillofdivorcement,butitcouldnotcompelhimeven
todothat.
Infaceofthatsituation,thingscametosuchapassthat"womenrefusedtocontractmarriages,andmen
grewgreyandcelibate."AbrakewasputuponthisprocessbylegislationintroducedbySimonben
Shetah.AJewishwifealwaysbroughtherhusbandadowrywhichwascalledKethubah.Simonenacted
thatamanhadunrestricteduseoftheKethubah,solongasheremainedmarriedtohiswife,buton
divorcehewasabsolutelyliabletorepayit,evenifhehad"tosellhishair"todoso.Thischecked
divorcebuttheJewishsystemwasalwaysvitiatedbythefactthatthewifehadnorights.

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Intheheathenworldthingswereinfinitelyworse.There,too,accordingtoRomanlaw,thewifehadno
rights.Catosaid:"Ifyouweretotakeyourwifeinadultery,youcouldkillherwithimpunity,withoutany
courtjudgmentbutifyouwereinvolvedinadultery,shewouldnotdaretoliftafingeragainstyou,foritis
unlawful."Thingsgrewsobad,andmarriagegrewsoirksome,thatin131B.C.awellknownRoman
calledMetellusMacedonicusmadeastatementwhichAugustuswasafterwardstoquote:"Ifwecoulddo
withoutwives,wewouldberidofthatnuisance.Butsincenaturehasdecreedthatwecanneitherlive
comfortablywiththem,norliveatallwithoutthem,wemustlookrathertoourpermanentintereststhanto
passingpleasure."
EventheRomanpoetssawthedreadfulnessofthesituation."Agesrichinsin,"wroteHorace,"werethe
firsttotaintmarriageandfamilylife.Fromthissourcetheevilhasoverflowed.""Soonerwilltheseasbe
driedup,"saidPropertius,"andthestarsberaftfromheaven,thanourwomenreformed."Ovidwrotehis
famous,orinfamous,bookTheArtoflove,andneverfrombeginningtoendmentionsmarriedlove.He
wrotecynically:"Thesewomenalonearepurewhoareunsolicited,andamanwhoisangryathiswife's
loveaffairisnothingbutarusticboor."Senecadeclared:"Anyonewhoseaffairshavenotbecome
notorious,andwhodoesnotpayamarriedwomanayearlyfee,isdespisedbywomenasamereloverof
girlsinfacthusbandsaregotasameredecoyforlovers.""Onlytheugly,"hesaid,"areloyal.""A
womanwhoiscontenttohaveonlytwofollowersisaparagonofvirtue."Tacituscommendedthe
supposedlybarbarianGermantribesfor"notlaughingatevil,andnotmakingseductionthespiritofthe
age."Whenamarriagetookplace,thehometowhichthecoupleweregoingwasdecoratedwithgreen
bayleaves.Juvenalsaidthattherewerethosewhoenteredondivorcebeforethebaysofwelcomehad
faded.In19B.C.amannamedQuintusLucretiusVespilloerectedatablettohiswifewhichsaid:
"Seldomdomarriageslastuntildeathundivorcedbutourscontinuedhappilyforfortyoneyears."The
happymarriagewastheastonishingexception.
OvidandPlinyhadthreewivesCaesarandAntonyhadfourSullaandPompeyhadfiveHerodhadnine
Cicero'sdaughterTulliahadthreehusbands.TheEmperorNerowasthethirdhusbandofPoppaeaand
thefifthhusbandofStatillaMessalina.
ItwasnotfornothingthatthePastoralslaiditdownthattheChristianleadermustbethehusbandofone
wife.Inaworldwhereeventhehighestplacesweredelugedwithimmorality,theChristianChurchmust
demonstratethechastity,thestabilityandthesanctityoftheChristianhome.
THECHARACTEROFTHECHRISTIANLEADER(1Timothy3:17continued)
TheChristianleadermustbesober(nephalios,Greek#3524)andhemustnotoverindulgeinwine,
(paroinos,Greek#3943).Intheancientworldwinewascontinuallyused.Wherethewatersupplywas
veryinadequateandsometimesdangerous,winewasthemostnaturaldrinkofall.Itiswinewhichcheers
theheartsofgodsandmen(9:13).IntherestorationofIsraelshewillplanthervineyardsanddrinkher
wine(Amos9:14).Strongdrinkisgiventothosewhoarereadytoperish,andwinetothosewhosehearts
areheavy(Proverbs31:6).
Thisisnottosaythattheancientworldwasnotfullyalivetothedangersofstrongdrink.Proverbs
speaksofthedisasterwhichcomestothemanwholooksonthewinewhenitisred(Proverbs23:2935).
Wineisamocker,strongdrinkabrawler(Proverbs20:1).Thereareterriblestoriesofwhathappenedto
peoplethroughoverindulgenceinwine.ThereisthecaseofNoah(Genesis9:1827)ofLot(Genesis
19:3038)ofAmnon(2Samuel13:2829).Althoughtheancientworldusedwineasthecommonestofall
drinks,ituseditmostabstemiously.Whenwinewasdrunk,itwasdrunkintheproportionoftwopartsof
winetothreepartsofwater.Amanwhowasdrunkenwouldbedisgracedinordinaryheathensociety,let
aloneintheChurch.
Theinterestingthingisthedoublemeaningthatbothwordsinthissectionpossess.Nephalios(Greek
#3524)meanssober,butitalsomeanswatchfulandvigilantparoinos(Greek#3943)meansaddictedto
wine,butitalsomeansquarrelsomeandviolent.ThepointthatthePastoralsmakehereisthatthe
ChristianmustallowhimselfnoindulgencewhichwouldlessenhisChristianvigilanceorsoilhisChristian
conduct.
TherefollowtwoGreekwordswhichdescribetwogreatqualitieswhichmustcharacterizetheChristian
leader.Hemustbeprudent(sophron,Greek#4998)andwellbehaved(kosmios,Greek#2887).
Wehavetranslatedsophron(Greek#4998)byprudent,butitisvirtuallyuntranslatable.Itisvariously
translatedofsoundmind,discreet,prudent,selfcontrolled,chaste,havingcompletecontroloversensual
desires.TheGreeksderiveditfromtwowordswhichmeantokeepone'smindsafeandsound.The
correspondingnounissophrosune(Greek#4997),andtheGreekswroteandthoughtmuchaboutit.Itis
theoppositeofintemperanceandlackofselfcontrol.Platodefineditas"themasteryofpleasureand
desire."Aristotledefineditas"thatpowerbywhichthepleasuresofthebodyareusedaslaw
commands."Philodefineditas"acertainlimitingandorderingofthedesires,whicheliminatesthose
whichareexternalandexcessive,andwhichadornsthosewhicharenecessarywithtimelinessand
moderation."Pythagorassaidthatitwas"thefoundationonwhichthesoulrests."Iamblichussaidthat"it
isthesafeguardofthemostexcellenthabitsinlife."Euripidessaidthatitwas"thefairestgiftofGod."
JeremyTaylorcalledit"reason'sgirdleandpassion'sbridle."Trenchdescribessophrosune(Greek#4997)
as"theconditionofentirecommandoverthepassionsanddesires,sothattheyreceivenofurther
allowancethanthatwhichlawandrightreasonadmitandapprove."GilbertMurraywroteofsophron
(Greek#4998):"Thereisawayofthinkingwhichdestroysandawaywhichsaves.Themanorwoman
whoissophron(Greek#4998)walksamongthebeautiesandperilsoftheworld,feelinglove,joy,anger,
andtherestandthroughallhehasthatinhismindwhichsaves.Whomdoesitsave?Nothimonly,but,
asweshouldsay,thewholesituation.Itsavestheimminentevilfromcomingtobe."E.F.Brownquotes
inillustrationofsophrosune(Greek#4997)aprayerofThomasAquinaswhichasksfor"aquietingofall
ourimpulses,fleshlyandspiritual."
Themanwhoissophron(Greek#4998)haseverypartofhisnatureunderperfectcontrol,whichistosay
thatthemanwhoissophron(Greek#4998)isthemaninwhoseheartChristreignssupreme.
Thecompanionwordiskosmios(Greek#2887),whichwehavetranslatedwellbehaved.Ifamanis
kosmios(Greek#2887)inhisouterconductitisbecauseheissophron(Greek#4998)inhisinnerlife.
Kosmios(Greek#2887)meansorderly,honest,decorous.InGreekithastwospecialusages.Itis
commonintributesandininscriptionstothedead.Anditiscommonlyusedtodescribethemanwhoisa
goodcitizen.Platodefinesthemanwhoiskosmios(Greek#2887)as"thecitizenwhoisquietinthe

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land,whodulyfulfilsinhisplaceandorderthedutieswhichareincumbentuponhimassuch."Thisword
hasmoreinitthansimplygoodbehaviour.Itdescribesthemanwhoselifeisbeautifulandinwhose
characterallthingsareharmoniouslyintegrated.
TheleaderoftheChurchmustbeamanwhoissophron(Greek#4998),hiseveryinstinctanddesire
underperfectcontrolhemustbeamanwhoiskosmios(Greek#2887),hisinnercontrolissuingin
outwardbeauty.TheleadermustbeoneinwhoseheartChrist'spowerreignsandonwhoselifeChrist's
beautyshines.
THECHARACTEROFTHECHRISTIANLEADER(1Timothy3:17continued)
TheChristianleadermustbehospitable(philoxenos,Greek#5382).ThisisaqualityonwhichtheNew
Testamentlaysmuchstress.PaulbidstheRomanChurchto"practisehospitality"(Romans12:13).
"Practisehospitalityungrudginglytooneanother,"saysPeter(1Peter4:9).IntheShepherdofHermas,
oneoftheveryearlyChristianwritings,itislaiddown:"Theepiskopos(Greek#1985)mustbehospitable,
amanwhogladlyandatalltimeswelcomesintohishousetheservantsofGod."TheChristianleader
mustbeamanwithanopenheartandanopenhouse.
Theancientworldwasverycarefuloftherightsoftheguest.Thestrangerwasundertheprotectionof
ZeusXenios,theProtectorofStrangers.intheancientworld,innswerenotoriouslybad.Inoneof
Aristophanes'playsHeraclesaskshiscompanionwheretheywilllodgeforthenightandtheansweris:
"Wherethefleasarefewest."Platospeaksoftheinnkeeperbeinglikeapiratewhoholdshisgueststo
ransom.Innstendedtobedirtyandexpensiveand,aboveall,immoral.Theancientworldhadasystem
ofwhatwerecalledGuestFriendships.Overgenerationsfamilieshadarrangementstogiveeachother
accommodationandhospitality.Oftenthemembersofthefamiliescameintheendtobeunknownto
eachotherbysightandidentifiedthemselvesbymeansofwhatwerecalledtallies.Thestrangerseeking
accommodationwouldproduceonehalfofsomeobjectthehostwouldpossesstheotherhalfofthetally
andwhenthetwohalvesfittedeachotherthehostknewthathehadfoundhisguest,andtheguestknew
thatthehostwasindeedtheancestralfriendofhishousehold.
IntheChristianChurchtherewerewanderingteachersandpreacherswhoneededhospitality.Therewere
alsomanyslaveswithnohomesoftheirowntowhomitwasagreatprivilegetohavetherightofentryto
aChristianhome.ItwasofthegreatestblessingthatChristiansshouldhaveChristianhomeseveropen
totheminwhichtheycouldmeetpeoplelikemindedtothemselves.Weliveinaworldwherethereare
stillmanywhoarefarfromhome,manywhoarestrangersinastrangeplace,manywholiveinconditions
whereitishardtobeaChristian.ThedooroftheChristianhomeandthewelcomeoftheChristianheart
shouldbeopentoallsuch.
TheChristianleadermustbepossessedofanaptitudeforteaching(didaktikos,Greek#1317).Ithas
beensaidthathisdutyis"topreachtotheunconvertedandtoteachtheconverted."Therearetwothings
tobesaidaboutthis.ItisoneofthedisastersofmoderntimesthattheteachingministryoftheChurchis
notbeingexercisedasitshould.Thereisanyamountoftopicalpreachingandanyamountofexhortation
butthereislittleuseinexhortingamantobeaChristianwhenhedoesnotknowwhatbeingaChristian
means.InstructionisaprimarydutyoftheChristianpreacherandleader.Thesecondthingisthis.The
finestandthemosteffectiveteachingisdonenotbyspeakingbutbybeing.Eventhemanwithnogiftof
wordscanteach,bylivinginsuchawaythatinhimmenseethereflectionoftheMaster.Asainthas
beendefinedassomeone"inwhomChristlivesagain."
TheChristianleadermustnotbeamanwhoassaultsothers(plektes,Greek#4131,astriker).Thatthis
instructionwasnotunnecessaryisseeninoneoftheveryearlyregulationsoftheApostolicCanons:"A
bishop,priestordeaconwhosmitesthefaithfulwhentheyerr,ortheunbelieverswhentheycommit
injury,anddesiresbysuchmeansasthistoterrifythem,wecommandtobedeposedfornowherehath
theLordtaughtusthis.Whenhewasreviled,herevilednotagain,butthecontrary.Whenhewas
smitten,hesmotenotagainwhenhesuffered,hethreatenednot."ItwillnotbelikelythatanyChristian
leaderwillnowadaysstrikeanotherChristian,butthefactremainsthatblustering,bullying,irritable,bad
temperedspeechoractionisforbiddentotheChristian.
TheChristianleadermustbegentle.TheGreekisepieikes(Greek#1933),anotherofthesecompletely
untranslatablewords.Thenounisepieikeia(Greek#1932)andAristotledescribesitas"thatwhich
correctsjustice"andasthatwhich"isjustandbetterthanjustice."Hesaidthatitwasthatqualitywhich
correctsthelawwhenthelawerrsbecauseofitsgenerality.Whathemeansisthatsometimesitmay
actuallybeunjusttoapplythestrictletterofthelaw.Trenchsaidthatepieikeia(Greek#1932)means
"retreatingfromtheletterofrightbettertopreservethespiritofright"andis"thespiritwhichrecognizes
theimpossibilityofcleavingtoallformallaw...thatrecognizesthedangerthateverwaitsuponthe
assertionoflegalrights,lesttheyshouldbepushedintomoralwrongs...thespiritwhichrectifiesand
redressestheinjusticeofjustice."Aristotledescribesinfulltheactionofepieikeia(Greek#1932):"To
pardonhumanfailingstolooktothelawgiver,nottothelawtotheintention,nottotheactiontothe
whole,nottotheparttothecharacteroftheactorinthelongrunandnotinthepresentmomentto
remembergoodratherthanevil,andthegoodthatonehasreceivedratherthanthegoodthatonehas
donetobearbeinginjuredtowishtosettleamatterbywordsratherthandeeds."Ifthereisamatter
underdispute,itcanbesettledbyconsultingabookofpracticeandprocedure,oritcanbesettledby
consultingJesusChrist.Ifthereisamatterofdebate,itcanbesettledinlaw,oritcanbesettledinlove.
TheatmosphereofmanyaChurchwouldberadicallychangediftherewasmoreepieikeia(Greek#1932)
withinit.
TheChristianleadermustbepeaceable(amachos,Greek#269).TheGreekwordmeansdisinclinedto
fight.Therearepeoplewho,aswemightputit,are"triggerhappy"intheirrelationshipswithotherpeople.
ButtherealChristianleaderwantsnothingsomuchashewantspeacewithhisfellowmen.
TheChristianleadermustbefreefromtheloveofmoney.Hewillneverdoanythingsimplyforprofit's
sake.Hewillknowthattherearevalueswhicharebeyondallmoneyprice.
THEMENOFCHRISTIANSERVICE(1Timothy3:8101Timothy3:1213)
3:810,12,13Inthesameway,thedeaconsmustbemenofdignity,menwhoare
straight,menwhoarenotgiventooverindulgenceinwine,menwhoarenot
preparedtostooptodisgracefulwaysofmakingmoneytheymustholdthesecretof
thefaithwhichhasbeenrevealedtothemwithaclearconscience.Thedeaconstoo

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mustfirstofallbeputuponprobation,and,iftheyemergeblamelessfromthetest,
letthembecomedeacons....Deaconsmustbemarriedonlyoncetheymust
managetheirownchildrenandtheirownhomeswell.Forthosewhomakeafinejob
oftheofficeofdeaconwinforthemselvesafinedegreeofhonour,andtheygain
muchboldnessintheirfaithinChristJesus.

IntheearlyChurchthefunctionofthedeaconslaymuchmoreinthesphereofpracticalservice.The
ChristianChurchinheritedamagnificentorganizationofcharitablehelpfromtheJews.Nonationhasever
hadsuchasenseofresponsibilityforthepoorerbrotherandsisterastheJews.Thesynagoguehada
regularorganizationforhelpingsuchpeople.TheJewsratherdiscouragedthegivingofindividualhelpto
individualpeople.Theypreferredthathelpshouldbegiventhroughthecommunityandespeciallythrough
thesynagogue.
EachFridayineverycommunitytwoofficialcollectorswentroundthemarketsandcalledoneachhouse,
collectingdonationsforthepoorinmoneyandingoods.Thematerialsocollectedwasdistributedto
thoseinneedbyacommitteeoftwo,ormoreifnecessary.Thepoorofthecommunityweregiven
enoughfoodforfourteenmeals,thatisfortwomealsadayfortheweekbutnoonecouldreceivefrom
thisfundifhealreadypossessedaweek'sfoodinthehouse.Thisfundforthepoorwascalledthe
Kuppah,orthebasket.Inadditiontothistherewasadailycollectionoffoodfromhousetohousefor
thosewhowereactuallyinemergencyneedthatday.ThisfundwascalledtheTamhuiorthetray.The
ChristianChurchinheritedthischaritableorganization,andnodoubtitwasthetaskofthedeaconsto
attendtoit.
Manyofthequalificationsofthedeaconarethesameasfortheepiskopos(Greek#1985).Theyaretobe
menofdignifiedcharactertheyaretobeabstemioustheyarenottosoiltheirhandswithdisreputable
waysofmakingmoneytheyhavetoundergoatestandatimeofprobationtheymustpractisewhat
theypreach,sothattheycanholdtheChristian.faithwithaclearconscience.
Onenewqualificationisaddedtheyaretobestraight.TheGreekisthattheymustnotbedilogos(Greek
#1351),anddilogosmeansspeakingwithtwovoices,sayingonethingtooneandanothertoanother.In
ThePilgrim'sProgressJohnBunyanputsintoByendsmouthadescriptionofthepeoplewholiveinthe
townofFairspeech.ThereismyLordTurnabout,myLordTimeServer,myLordFairspeech,after
whoseancestorsthetownwasnamed,Mr.Smoothman,Mr.Facingbothways,Mr.Anythingandthe
parsonoftheparish,Mr.Twotongues.Adeacon,inhisgoingfromhousetohouse,andinhisdealing
withthosewhoneededcharity,hadtobeastraightman.Againandagainhewouldbetemptedtoevade
issuesbyalittletimelyhypocrisyandsmoothspeaking.Butthemanwhowoulddotheworkofthe
ChristianChurchmustbestraight.
Itisclearthatthemanwhoperformswelltheofficeofdeaconcanlookforpromotiontothehighofficeof
elder,andwillgainsuchaconfidenceinthefaiththathecanlookanymanintheface.
WOMENWHOSERVETHECHURCH(1Timothy3:11)
3:11Inthesameway,thewomenmustbedignifiedtheymustnotbegivento
slanderousgossiptheymustbesobertheymustbeinallthingsreliable.
AsfarastheGreekgoes,thiscouldrefertothewivesofthedeacons,ortowomenengagedinasimilar
service.Itseemsfarmorelikelythatitreferstowomenwhoarealsoengageduponthisworkofcharity.
Theremusthavebeenactsofkindnessandofhelpwhichonlyawomancouldproperlydoforanother
woman.CertainlyintheearlyChurchthereweredeaconesses.Theyhadthedutyofinstructingfemale
convertsandinparticularofpresidingandattendingattheirbaptism,whichwasbytotalimmersion.
Itwasnecessarythatsuchwomenworkersshouldbewarnedagainstslanderousgossipandbiddentobe
absolutelyreliable.Whenayoungdoctorgraduatesandbeforehebeginstopractise,hetakesthe
Hippocraticoath,andpartofthatoathisapledgenevertorepeatanythingthathehasheardinthehouse
ofapatient,oranythingthathehasheardaboutapatient,evenifhehashearditonthestreet.Inthe
workofhelpingthepoor,thingsmighteasilybeheardandberepeatedandinfinitedamagedone.Itisnot
anyinsulttowomenthatthePastoralsspeciallyforbidgossiptothem.Inthenatureofthingsawoman
runsmoreriskofgossipthanaman.Aman'sworktakeshimoutintotheworldawomanofnecessity
livesinanarrowersphereandforthatveryreasonhasfewerthingstotalkabout.Thisincreasesthe
dangeroftalkingaboutthepersonalrelationshipsfromwhichslanderousgossiparises.Whethermanor
woman,atalebearing,confidencerepeatingChristianisamonstrousthing.
InGreekcivilizationitwasessentialthatthewomenworkersoftheChurchshouldpreservetheirdignity.
TherespectableGreekwomanlivedinthegreatestseclusionsheneverwentoutaloneshenevereven
sharedmealswithhermenfolk.PericlessaidthatthedutyofanAthenianmotherwastolivesoretireda
lifethathernameshouldneverbementionedamongmenforpraiseorblame.Xenophontellshowa
countrygentlemanwhowasafriendofhissaidabouttheyoungwifewhomhehadjustmarriedandwhom
hedearlyloved."WhatwasshelikelytoknowwhenImarriedher?Why,shewasnotyetfifteenwhenI
introducedhertomyhouse,andshehadbeenbroughtupalwaysunderthestrictestsupervisionasfar
ascouldbemanaged,shehadnotbeenallowedtoseeanything,hearanythingoraskanyquestions."
ThatisthewayinwhichrespectableGreekgirlswerebroughtup.Xenophongivesavividpictureofone
ofthesegirlwivesgradually"growingaccustomedtoherhusbandandbecomingsufficientlytametohold
conversationwithhim."
Christianityemancipatedwomenitliberatedthemfromakindofslavery.Butthereweredangers.She
whowasliberatedmightmisusehernewfoundfreedomtherespectableworldmightbeshockedbysuch
anemancipationandsotheChurchhadtolaydownitsregulations.Itwasbywiselyusingfreedom,and
notmisusingit,thatwomencametoholdtheproudpositionintheChurchwhichtheyholdtoday.
PRIVILEGE&RESPONSIBILITYOFLIFEWITHINTHECHURCH(1Timothy3:1415)
3:1415Iamwritingthesethingstoyou,hoping,asIwrite,tocometoyousoon.But
Iamwriting,sothat,ifIamdelayed,youmayknowhowtobehaveyourselvesinthe
householdofGod,whichistheassemblyofthelivingGod,andthepillarand
buttressofthetruth.
HereinonephraseisthereasonwhythePastoralEpistleswerewrittentheywerewrittentotellmenhow
tobehavewithintheChurch.Thewordfortobehaveisanastrephesthai(Greek#390)itdescribeswhat

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wemightcallaman'swalkandconversation.Itdescribeshiswholelifeandcharacterbutitspecially
describeshiminhisrelationshipswithotherpeople.Asithasbeensaid,thewordinitselflaysitdown
thatachurchmember'spersonalcharactermustbeexcellentandthathispersonalrelationshipswith
otherpeopleshouldbeatruefellowship.Achurchcongregationisabodyofpeoplewhoarefriendswith
Godandfriendswitheachother.Paulgoesontousefourwordswhichdescribefourgreatfunctionsof
theChurch.
(i)TheChurchisthehousehold(oikos,Greek#3624)ofGod.Firstandforemostitmustbeafamily.Ina
despatchwrittenafteroneofhisgreatnavalvictories,Nelsonascribedhisvictorytothefactthathe"had
thehappinesstocommandabandofbrothers."Unlessachurchisabandofbrothersitisnotatrue
churchatall.LoveofGodcanexistonlywherebrotherlyloveexists.
(ii)TheChurchistheassembly(ekklesia,Greek#1577)ofthelivingGod.Thewordekklesia(Greek
#1577)literallymeansacompanyofpeoplewhohavebeencalledout.Itdoesnotmeanthattheyhave
beenselectedorpickedout.InAthenstheekklesia(Greek#1577)wasthegoverningbodyofthecity
anditsmembershipconsistedofallthecitizensmetinassembly.But,verynaturally,atnotimedidall
attend.ThesummonswentouttocometotheAssemblyoftheCity,butonlysomecitizensansweredit
andcame.God'scallhasgoneouttoeverymanbutonlysomehaveaccepteditandtheyarethe
ekklesia(Greek#1577),theChurch.ItisnotthatGodhasbeenselective.Theinvitationcomestoallbut
toaninvitationtheremustbearesponse.
(iii)TheChurchisthepillarofthetruth(stulos,Greek#4769).InEphesus,towhichtheseletterswere
written,thewordpillarwouldhaveaspecialsignificance.ThegreatestgloryofEphesuswastheTemple
ofDianaorArtemis."GreatisDianaoftheEphesians"(Acts19:28).Itwasoneofthesevenwondersof
theworld.Oneofitsfeatureswasitspillars.Itcontainedonehundredandtwentysevenpillars,everyone
ofthemthegiftofaking.Allweremadeofmarble,andsomewerestuddedwithjewelsandoverlaidwith
gold.ThepeopleofEphesusknewwellhowbeautifulathingapillarcouldbe.Itmaywellbethattheidea
ofthewordpillarhereisnotsomuchsupportthatiscontainedinbuttressasdisplay.Oftenthestatue
ofafamousmanissetonthetopofapillarthatitmaystandoutaboveallordinarythingsandsobe
clearlyseen,evenfromadistance.TheideahereisthattheChurch'sdutyistoholdupthetruthinsuch
awaythatallmenmayseeit.
(iv)TheChurchisthebuttress(hedraioma,Greek#1477)ofthetruth.Thebuttressisthesupportofthe
building.Itkeepsitstandingintact.Inaworldwhichdoesnotwishtofacethetruth,theChurchholdsit
upforalltosee.Inaworldwhichwouldoftengladlyeliminateunwelcometruth,theChurchsupportsit
againstallwhowouldseektodestroyit.
AHYMNOFTHECHURCH(1Timothy3:16)
3:16Aseveryonemustconfess,greatisthesecretwhichGodhasrevealedtousin
ourreligion:
Hewhowasmanifestedintheflesh:HewhowasvindicatedbytheSpirit:Hewho
wasseenbyangels:Hewhohasbeenpreachedamongthenations:Heinwhom
menhavebelievedallovertheworld:Hewhowastakenupintoglory.
Thegreatinterestofthispassageisthatherewehaveafragmentofoneofthehymnsoftheearly
Church.ItisasettingofbeliefinChristtopoetryandtomusic,ahymninwhichmensangtheircreed.
Wecannotexpectinpoetrytheprecisionofstatementforwhichwewouldlookinacreedbutwemust
trytoseewhateachlineinthishymnissayingtous.
(i)Hewhowasmanifestedintheflesh.RightatthebeginningitstressestherealhumanityofJesus.It
says:"LookatJesus,andyouwillseethemindandtheheartandtheactionofGod,inaformthatmen
canunderstand."
(ii)HewhowasvindicatedbytheSpirit.Thisisadifficultline.Therearethreethingsitmaymean.(a)It
maymeanthatallthroughhisearthlydaysJesuswaskeptsinlessbythepoweroftheSpirit.Itisthe
Spiritwhogivesamanguidanceourerroristhatwesooftenrefusehisguidance.ItwasJesus'perfect
submissiontotheSpiritofGodwhichkepthimwithoutsin.(b)ItmaymeanthatJesus'claimswere
vindicatedbytheactionoftheSpiritwhodweltinhim.WhenJesuswasaccusedbythescribesand
Phariseesofeffectingcuresbythepowerofthedevil,hisanswerwas:"IfIcastoutdevilsbytheSpiritof
God,thenthekingdomofGodiscomeuponyou"(Matthew12:28).ThepowerthatwasinJesuswasthe
poweroftheSpirit,andthemightyactsheperformedwerethevindicationofthetremendousclaims
whichhemade.(c)ItmaybethatthisisareferencetotheResurrection.MentookJesusandcrucified
himasacriminaluponacrossbutthroughthepoweroftheSpiritheroseagaintheverdictofmenwas
demonstratedtobefalse,andhewasvindicated.Nomatterhowwetakethisline,itsmeaningisthatthe
SpiritisthepowerwhoprovedJesustobewhatheclaimedtobe.
(iii)Hewhowasseenbyangels.Againtherearethreepossiblemeanings.(a)Itmaybeareferenceto
Jesus'lifebeforehecametoearth.(b)Itmaybeareferencetohislifeonearth.Evenonearththehosts
ofheavenwerelookingonathistremendouscontestwithevil.(c)Itmayconnectwiththebeliefofall
meninthetimeofJesusthattheairwasfullofdemonicandangelicpowers.Manyofthesepowerswere
hostiletoGodandtoman,andbentonthedestructionofJesus.Paulatleastoncearguedthattheywere
bentonthedestructionofJesusthroughignorance,andthatJesusbroughttothemandtomenthe
wisdomwhichhadbeenhiddensincetheworldbegan(1Corinthians2:78).Thisphrasemaymeanthat
Jesusbroughtthetrutheventotheangelicanddemonicpowerswhohadneverknownit.Howeverwe
takeit,itmeansthattheworkofJesusissotremendousthatitincludesbothheavenandearth.
(iv)Hewhohasbeenpreachedamongthenations.HerewehavethegreattruththatJesuswasthe
exclusivepossessionofnorace.HewasnottheMessiahwhohadcometoraisetheJewstoearthly
greatness,buttheSaviourofthewholewideworld.
(v)Heinwhommenhavebelievedallovertheworld.Hereisanalmostmiraculoustruthstatedwithutter
simplicity.AfterJesushaddiedandrisenagainandascendedtohisglory,thenumberofhisfollowers
wasonehundredandtwenty(Acts1:15).AllthathisfollowershadtoofferwasthestoryofaGalilaean
carpenterwhohadbeencrucifiedonahilltopinPalestineasacriminal.Andyetbeforeseventyyearshad
passedthatstoryhadgoneouttotheendsoftheearthandmenofeverynationacceptedthiscrucified
JesusasSaviourandLord.Inthissimplephrasethereisthewholewonderoftheexpansionofthe
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(vi)Hewhowastakenupintoglory.ThisisareferencetotheAscension.ThestoryofJesusbeginsin
heavenandendsinheaven.Helivedasaservanthewasbrandedasacriminalhewascrucifiedona
crossherosewiththenailprintsstilluponhimbuttheendisglory.
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BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryon1Timothy3:1"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/view.cgi?bk=53&ch=3".19561959.

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