1 Timothy 3:2, 3 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
These verses contain the basic qualifications for an overseer or elder. Some 11 characteristics are listed - the very number suggests, perhaps, someone above the average. The seventh qualification is different to all the others in that it does not necessarily have a moral dimension. This is the requirement that the overseer be able to teach. The other requirements would be desirable in all Christians. They are necessary for the teacher because without them his teaching will be hollow and hypocritical. So what is being looked for is an irreproachability, faithful monogamy, temperance, self-control, gravity, hospitableness, sobriety, gentleness, calmness and unselfishness. To be above reproach does not mean that a man is perfect but that there is no obvious flaw in his character and life. Some have assumed that an overseer must be married but the point is that he must be faithful to one wife if he is married. If she dies, he is not suddenly disqualified. The checklist serves both as an indicator of what to look for in a possible overseer and as a reminder to overseers of what is required of them. If an elder finds he is becoming intemperate, say, or reclusive, violent, quarrelsome or is tempted to be unfaithful or get drunk or is lacking self control or thinking about money all the time then he is in serious trouble. He is no longer above reproach or respectable and is in danger of being unfit to teach.
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