1 Timothy 2- Qualifications of Leaders in the Church Part 1

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This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 1 Timothy 3:1-3

As we continue to work through the Epistles of Timothy, we see these are instructions on how we should run the Church. In the previous Chapter we looked over the order of the Church, now we are going to take a look at the qualifications for the leaders of the Church. The first thing we want to point out is the original Greek word “episkope” this word is translated as Bishop in the KJV, also translate as “overseer” “leader” This word basically covers any leadership role within the Church, such as Bishop, Pastor, Elder (Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5)

So the qualifications that the Apostle Paul is going to mention, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, applies to all Pastors, Bishops, Elders, any leaders within the Church. The first qualification we see is the “husband of one wife”. We went over Pauls teaching in 1 Timothy Chapter 2, woman are not to have spiritual authority over men, also here the overseer is to be the husband of one wife. With these scriptures, I think its a clear case God’s design for the Church was to have male Pastors, Bishops, Elders, ect. Again this does not mean woman are not as qualified, its just Gods design for the Church as it is Gods design for the family and society.

The qualifications are also for the overseer to be “blameless”, “sober minded”, “of good behavior”, “hospitable”, “able to teach” “not give to wine (alcoholic), “not violent”, “not greedy” and be “gentle”  Now as we look through this list, we wonder how can anyone meet all these qualifications? I’m sure we as leaders of the Church fall short somewhere, however the Apostle Paul is emphasizing the standard God has put on the leaders of the Church. This is not a role or position that should be taken lightly, this is not a calling you just dabble in, when you step into the pulpit, there should be a “Fear of God” upon you, that you are trying to be a servant of Christ to the best of your abilities.

We see all around Christianity today, fallen leaders, not only have the disgraced their families, they have disgraced their Church community, they have also disgraced Christ. Everything we do is a representation of Christ. As the Apostle James said “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1) Yes the Pastor, Bishop, Elder, and leaders of the Church will be held under stricter judgement for their life

Many people feel they are “called to ministry” but is that truly the will of God? Feelings are not truth, if the Word of God written by the Holy Spirit disqualifies you, you really need to pray and ask God is this really the calling place upon my life?

We will continue working through this text on our next post…God bless

1 Timothy 2- Women Role in the Church

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Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Today we are going to take a look at, probably the most controversial teaching by the Apostle Paul, or maybe even the most controversial teaching in the entire Bible, the role of women in the Church. The first thing to establish is the authority of this teaching, Paul was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, if you reject Paul’s teachings, you are rejecting the Word of God. If you reject Paul as an Apostle, you reject over half of the New Testament, its a downward spiral. This teaching by Paul is the Word of God and authoritative.

The Apostle Paul also taught on this subject in his Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14) I also did a response video to our Brother Damons writings on this topic also, as he disagrees with my position, however we still have great love and respect for one another as brothers in Christ. The more I have chewed on this topic and scriptures over the years, I really believe this issue is greatly misunderstood primarily by the influence of liberalism and feminism that have crept into the Church over the decades.

As you walk through these scriptures , its very plain and clear, this teaching is about roles and authorities within the structure of the Church and not about someones personal talent or ability. The Bible is clear woman are filled with the Holy Spirit just like men, (Acts 2:17) and have the capabilities that men do, the question is about role and authority. Just as the structure of the family, the man is the father and the spiritual head of the family, (1 Corinthians 11:3) While some woman in todays culture, try to replace the man as the “father” it doesn’t work , and naturally it can’t happen. This is the same in the Church family, the man has spiritual authority as being leader of the Church under Christ

The Apostle Paul begins “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection” Remaining silent is a sign of respect and authority. When a teacher is teaching class, students remain silent out of respect for their teacher. This doesn’t necessarily mean the teacher knows more than the student, however the Teacher is in a position or role of authority over their students. I think its this basic and simple, however we try to overcomplicate this topic

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve” anyone who argues this is a cultural issue is rebuked by this teaching. The Apostle Paul interjects Creation into the role and order of the Church. Everyone and every culture is impacted and influenced by creation, its as simple as Adam (man) was created directly from God. Eve the woman was created from Adam not God. There is a role and structure in creation and the Church. To imply the woman is in authoritative equality with men, would to disregard the Word of God and Creation.

1 Timothy 2- Order in the Church

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I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works 1 Timothy 2:8-10

So now we see the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is giving instructions on the order of the Church. We worship a God of law and order, not a God of chaos and confusion. There is order and instruction in Gods design for everything, just as it was in the beginning in Creation. God had structure and order with Adam and Eve, and this model is to be implemented in the Church and throughout society. Any deviation from this structure leads to disaster as we are seeing in todays society and the Church. 

God is calling all men to be Holy, to be set apart for Christ , and to be leaders of the Church. As the Apostle Paul says here “ I will therefor that men pray everywhere” The original Greek word here translated as pray can also mean worship. We need Men of God, who are Born Again and have a relationship with God. We need men who have a relationship with Christ, to rise up and lead the body of Christ and their families. Notice the Apostle Paul says “everywhere” the Men of God are to lead worship everywhere they go. Not just in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, but also at the dinner table during the week, and everywhere. Problem is many men have abandoned their calling and role by God to pursue the lusts of this world

These Men of God are also to lead the Church “without wrath or doubting” As Jesus said “A kingdom divided shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25) These men need to be real leaders for Christ, and not dividers. They need to be Shepherds of the Church and keeping the flock together and safe, not allowing the wolves to enter from within and devour the flock. They must also truly be Born Again and have faith in Christ. If they are weak in the faith, they will be weak leaders. 

Woman are to dress modestly and not bring dishonor to The Lord or themselves. The worship services during this culture, had become more of a fashion show, women wanted to display their wealth and beauty, this is very common in todays Church also. However the focus should be on The Lord Jesus Christ and not ourselves. ,We should not be bringing attention to ourselves but bring attention to The Lord. If we have wealth, we should be be flaunting it among others, be humble and respectful to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

As the Apostle Paul says “woman who profess godliness with good works” Woman of God should present themselves as servants of Christ. Not dressing to be seductive or boastful, but present themselves as respectful to The Lord and their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as a sister. This can apply to the men also.