The Office of Elder #4: The Qualifications - Pt. 2

The Office of Elder #4: The Qualifications—Part 2
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:4-9

Introduction—I: The Man’s Desire (1 Tim. 3:1), II: The Man’s Character (1 Tim. 3:2-3, 7; Titus 1:7-8)

III: The Man’s Family (1 Tim. 3:2, 4-5; Titus 1:6)
“… the husband of one wife … hospitable … He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?”

“… and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.” (ESV)

“… having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.” (NKJV)

“Does this mean that one cannot be an elder if one of his children has strayed away from the Lord? It depends. Various factors need to be weighed, such as: Has the father been diligent in his instructing the child in the ways of the Lord? Furthermore, at a certain point a child becomes an adult and is solely accountable for his or her own actions. Churches stemming from the 16th century Reformation, therefore, have a long tradition of not disqualifying someone from the office of elder if the disobedience of his children is not his fault.” Cornelis Van Dam

IV: The Man’s Gifts (1 Tim. 3:2b; Titus 1:9)
“Must be … able to teach.” … “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

“Paul is commending wisdom in knowing how to apply God’s Word to the profit of His people.” John Calvin

Conclusion