1 Timothy 3:1-7

1. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

2. Acts 20:17-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

3. bishops “elders”: Spiritual Maturity Today’s Focus • Acts 20:17-36 • Paul called for the “elders” from Ephesus [v. 17] • Paul said that the Holy Spirit had made them • “overseers” (bishops) of the flock of God [v. 28] Last Time • Paul said that God had given them a task: to • “shepherd” (pastor) the church of God [v. 28] Paul is clearly speaking to the same men he called from Ephesus: elders, bishops, and pastors are the same according to the Bible Each term describes a different aspect of their roles Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

4. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”: • Acts 20:28-31 keeping watch against: “Savage wolves” coming in from outside [v. 28] “Perverse things” spoken by those inside [v. 29] “Therefore WATCH” Acts 20:31 Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

5. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”: 1 Peter 5:2-3 • Acts 20:28-31; literally, “exercising oversight” (rule): Not forced, but desiring to protect God’s flock [v. 2] Not for financial gain, but in eagerservice [v. 2] Not as lords, but as examples [v. 3; cp. Mk 10:42-45] Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

6. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”: • secondarily describes “office” of responsibility: • from the O. T. -- “episkopos” translates “paqad” “appointed duty”, “oversight”: Nm 4:16 [KJV – office] “officers”: Nm 31:14 (military); Is 60:17 (city officials) “overseers”: Ne 11:9 (city); 14, 22 (work); 12:42 (director) protect the nation – military duty [Nm 31:12-17] Officer roles keep peace, order – in the city [Is 60:17; Ne 11:9]; – in the work [Ne 11:14, 22; etc.] Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

7. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”: • secondarily describes “office” of responsibility: • from the O. T. -- “episkopos” translates “paqad” • in N. T. “episkopos” used only in a Christian context: once for an apostle: Acts 1:20 [cp. Psalm 109:8] 6 times for “elders”: Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2; Philippians 1:1 once for Christ Himself: 1 Peter 2:25 Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

8. bishops By men Ac 14:23 Titus 1:5 By the Holy Spirit Ac 20:28 • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” However… • primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”: • secondarily describes “office” of responsibility: • Vine’s N.T. Greek: “…overseer…indicates the • character of the work undertaken.” [Ac 20:29-31] A Biblical Bishop: A spiritual officer appointed to protect and to organize God’s spiritual flock Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

9. bishops By men Ac 14:23 Titus 1:5 By the Holy Spirit Ac 20:28 A Biblical Bishop: The Holy Spirit determines the qualifications Men determine who (among the qualified) will serve overthemin the local work [more on this question later] • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” However… • primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”: • secondarily describes “office” of responsibility: • Vine’s N.T. Greek: “…overseer…indicates the • character of the work undertaken.” [Ac 20:29-31] A Biblical Bishop: A spiritual officer appointed to protect and to organize God’s spiritual flock Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

10. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35 • “watchers over” all the flock (over which the Holy • Spirit had placed them [see 1 Tim 3]) in Ephesus • warned: “savage wolves”, “perverse” men coming • commended to God, the word of His grace [gospel!] • charged with “supporting” (aiding) the weak Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

11. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 • trans.: “aspires to the office of overseer” [ESV]; • “sets his heart on being a bishop” [GWT]; • “reaches out to overseership” [Lit]; • “oversight doth long for” [YLT] • is a desiredwork, not a forced one [desire toSERVE] Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

12. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “blameless”: is example by 1st correcting own errors • “husband of one wife”: faithful to ones underhisrule see Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3 Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

13. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “blameless”: is example by 1st correcting own errors • “husband of one wife”: faithful to ones underhisrule • “temperate”, “sober-minded”, “good behavior” self-controlled; discreet, vigilant, modest (as to opinion or passion), orderly Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

14. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “blameless”: is example by 1st correcting own errors • “husband of one wife”: faithful to ones underhisrule • “temperate”, “sober-minded”, “good behavior” • “hospitable”: Grk philoxenos “friend of foreigners” Dt. 10:17-19; Mt. 25:34-40 (“fond of guests”); servant Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

15. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “blameless”: is example by 1st correcting own errors • “husband of one wife”: faithful to ones underhisrule • “temperate”, “sober-minded”, “good behavior” • “hospitable”: Grk philoxenos “friend of foreigners” • “able[skilled] to teach”: not just speaking; not all can Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

16. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “not given to wine”: literally not “by” or “over” wine indicates a desire to be around that which comes with wine-drinking: carousing, revelries, etc. [cp. Proverb 23:29-35] what entertains him? Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

17. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “not given to wine”: literally not “by” or “over” wine • “not violent”: literally not “a striker” must resolve issues with mind, not might; this would also include verbal “striking” [2 Tm 2:24] Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

18. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “not given to wine”: literally not “by” or “over” wine • “not violent”: literally not “a striker” • “not greedy for money”: literally “shameful gain” will be called to resolve disputes; cp. Ex. 23:8, etc. will be called to distribute funds; see Acts 11:29-30 Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

19. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “not given to wine”: literally not “by” or “over” wine • “not violent”: literally not “a striker” • “not greedy for money”: literally “shameful gain” • BUT: “gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous” not only NO negatives, but building the positives Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

20. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “one who rules his own house well”: literally “stands before”; a question of his rank and his order over his household, as evidenced by: (1) children in submission: obeying, trained in order (2) all reverence: his seriousness with his family Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

21. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “one who rules his own house well”: • “for…how will he take care of the church of God?” this is theprimaryquestionin all of these “musts” to determine whether a man will be a good bishop, it is necessary to examine how he rules his home Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

22. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “not a novice…”: literally “newly planted” no one puts an ensign to do an officer’s job! officers must be tested, experienced, proven there is a danger for PRIDE along with the POWER of a bishop’s “rule”: only experienced men eligible Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

23. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”] • “…good testimony among those…outside” [cp. v. 2] unbelievers speaking evil of him doesn’t bode well the “savage wolves” come from those outside his actions before unbelievers can bring reproach on himself and on the flock he tends! Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

24. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 • “blameless as a steward of God”: manager or overseer of the house must be trusted his charge is not over his own goods, but God’s! Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

25. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 • “blameless as a steward of God”: • “not self-willed”: literally, “self-pleasing”, arrogant is a servant of the church of God, not of his desires Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

26. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 • “blameless as a steward of God”: • “not self-willed”: literally, “self-pleasing”, arrogant • “not quick-tempered”: literally, “soon angry” willing to listen, consider, analyze before speaking [cp. James 1:19-20] Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

27. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 • “blameless as a steward of God”: • “not self-willed”: literally, “self-pleasing”, arrogant • “not quick-tempered”: literally, “soon angry” • “a lover of what is good”: literally, “promoting good” • “just”, “holy”: upright in dealings; faithful to God Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

28. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 • “holding fast the faithful word”: [cp. Ac 20:32] it is the word that has made him, will keep those who are entrusted to him, and make others, if: (1) kept “as he has been taught” – no changes to it (2) he exhorts and convicts with sound doctrine Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

29. bishops • “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos” • Spiritual officers for protection and organization • Christian “bishops” further defined by context: • Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9; 1 Pt 5:2 • “serving as overseers”; diligently taking care after • “not by compulsion, but willingly”; not as a burden though the task might be difficult, it is to be done with an air of pleasure at the service to God! [cp. Hebrews 13:7, 17; cp. 2 Corinthians 9:7] Acts 20:27-36 elders  “bishops”  “pastors”

30. The “Overseer” of souls is Jesus Himself Matt 18:11-13 He is seeking for those sheep which are lost Matt 28:18-20 He has “all authority”; He is ruler of rulers He alone has the power to save us as ruler of God’s kingdom Would YOU submit to His rule today?