1 Timothy 3:7 With outsiders

1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

One further qualification for elders here is that such people must have a good reputation with outsiders. It is not enough that the man has a good reputation within the church, some thought must be given to his reputation with outsiders. Generally speaking outsiders can be a little harsher in their judgements and whereas certain eccentricities and faults may be overlooked in the faith community, others will be less understanding and sympathetic. Given that a minister needs to seek to reach outsiders as well as insiders this is an important consideration. If we fail to give it full weight then we are increasingly the likelihood of such a person falling into disgrace and the devil's trap. When the world sees who has been made a minister, if they know him to be a big head, a philanderer, a greedy man or an incompetent then they will soon scoff, not only at him but at the gospel itself. This is the very thing that the devil aims at. He wants to discredit all Christians but ministers especially as it undermines the whole faith.