AN EDIFYING ELDER

1 Timothy 3: 1-7

by Rev. Richard Jones

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV)
1  The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3  not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4  He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5  for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6  He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7  Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

THE ELDER REGARDING HIMSELF
 1 Timothy 3:1-3 (ESV)
1  The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3  not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

THE ELDER REGARDING HIS FAMILY
1 Timothy 3:4-5 (ESV)
4  He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5  for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

THE ELDER REGARDING HIS CHURCH
1 Timothy 3:6 (ESV)
6  He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

THE ELDER REGARDING HIS COMMUNITY
1 Timothy 3:7 (ESV)
7  Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.