Verses of the Week: 1 Timothy 3:6-7
7
And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he
may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6-7
Welcome to our final lesson
on the qualifications for the position of an elder. Each week we have examined the
qualifications of what it is needed to be an elder in the church. We finish
with our last two qualifications, not a new covert, and a good reputation with
the community. These are extremely important qualifications considering what
the elder does in the church and out in the community.
Once again, we are reminded that
these qualifications are for the “now.” They are not qualifications that one
aspires to. To be an elder you must be exhibiting these qualifications in the
here and now.
I would recommend for any who
wish to further their understanding of elders and their importance in the
church, along with all facets of church structure today, to purchase and study
Dr. Mal Couch’s book, “A Biblical Theology of the Church.”
6 and not a new convert, lest he
become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil
7 And he must have a good
reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach
and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6-7
Not
a new covert- The Greek word means “to be newly planted.” When a man is a
new convert to the Christian faith advancement to a leadership position is not
a wise idea. They should be allowed to grow “deep roots” in the faith and in
the community before authority is considered for them. Even if this is an older
man, who has experienced the world and possess much natural wisdom, he should
not be an elder until he has demonstrated Biblical wisdom. Just being elderly
does not qualify you for this position.
Another idea of the new convert is
the idea of “spiritual babies.” They are still “babies” in the faith, having
not grown up on the Word of God and having faced the world the world as a
believer to discover what the world has in store for them. Spiritual babes cannot carry on the work of
the Lord in the local church.
The new convert being assigned to
such a position as an elder may become puffed up with pride and therefore make
arbitrary decisions. The most mature believers have times when they wrestle with
temptation. Jesus faced Satan's temptations (Matthew 4:1–11), though He never
sinned (Hebrews 4:15). They have had more experience in dealing with the
temptations and stresses of the Christian life. Also, they are more aware of
their own shortcomings, so they are less likely to become arrogant. For these
reasons, a person who is new in their faith should not be given spiritual
authority over others.
Mature believers are better
equipped to teach and equip members of the church. Their inexperience will limit
their use to the church and to the members who may come to him for advice, not
knowing the Scriptures enough to give Bible-based advice. The elder should be the following:
1.
A man of experience, both in the Scriptures and
in the world
2.
A man trained in the Scriptures. This does not
mean they have gone to church their whole life therefore they know all there
is. They must be able to demonstrate that they know the Scriptures and how to
properly apply them to daily life situations for others.
3.
A man trained to teach the truth of the
Scriptures.
4.
And as added in v. 7, a man who has proved his
experience by his daily living in the church and before the community.
He
become conceited- This literally
means “to raise a smoke, emit smoke, or smolder” being puffed up. The idea is metaphorically
"to blind with pride or conceit." Because of rapid advancement into a
place of authority and leadership causes him to become proud. The novice is so inflated
with self-conceit and ideas of his own importance, he is not able see himself
or others in reality.
This is not the only reason, but it
is a good one. It would difficult for young men who do not have deep roots in
their faith to assume a position of humbleness and servanthood. Though age and
maturity are not complete proof against
this; a more mature believer is much less likely to be injured after they have
had the experience of how his heart leads him, and with a mind has been deeply taught in knowledge with
the spirit of the gospel and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Fall-
This fall may incur dishonor not just in his ministerial life but also in
his personal life depending on the attack from Satan.
Into
condemnation- This is condemnation on account of pride. Just as
Satan had pride grab him and control him, so to a novice is very susceptible to
pride and the consequences that follow. The temptation that grabbed Satan will
be used by Satan to grab the new convert.
Incurred
by the devil- Satan will know the weakest point to ensnare the new
believer. He knows how to drag him down and mercilessly buffet him. Pride is an
extraordinarily strong pull on a new believer if they are moved into a position
of authority. They begin to believe the words of praise that is given in their
direction. They will begin to feel more that this is something that is up to
them, instead of relying on God.
He
must have- No choice.
A
good reputation- A good testimony. When the leader in the church has a bad
reputation in the community, it often brings irreparable damage to the local
congregation and indeed the entire of Christ.
One
church I attended the pastor was a historic premillennial. I attended a
prophecy seminar and was approached by another attendee who noticed the name of
the church on my badge. He inquired why I would be at a dispensational seminar
coming from a church that was historic premillennial. It shocked me for a
second how much those outside the local church attach the pastor’s belief to
the whole congregation. I informed him that the majority of the church had no idea
what the pastor’s end times beliefs were. Many in that church were unknowingly
dispensational premillennial.
With
those outside the church- Unbelievers. Church leaders are representatives
the church they minister in. The church, the people, and the facility, do not
exist in a vacuum. Those that the church do business with have great insight on
the elders and the way the church is run.
Why is
this important? Because those outside the church are the fields that need to be
harvested. The body of Christ, especially its earthly authorities, should be
continually seeking to have a godly influence for Christ upon the world. We
should eye every opportunity for leading sinners to Christ. Any elder who has a
bad reputation with the world will be wholly ineffective in achieving the goal
of bringing others of Christ.
There
will always be those outside the church that will criticize and condemn any man
who leads a clean and righteous life. But a majority in the community will be
pleased with a man who properly leads the church. The judgment from outsiders
will form an opinion of the church. The elder must lead a life that will
communicate to unbeliever’s confidence and respect and not give reason to
accuse them.
So-
In order that.
He
many not fall- We know that this fallen world’s great desire is to discover
and expose men of authority in the church as hypocrites and sinners.
Into
reproach- A bad reputation in the neighborhood. Suddenly the whole town
will believe any gossip they hear about the young elder. With gossip the truth
does not matter, only if the story being told is interesting and other want to
hear. He is in no way to bring dishonor
to the ministry that he has been elevated to.
And
the snare of the devil- Satan likes nothing more than to disgrace God’s
work and God’s people by trapping church leaders in sin before a watching
world. It is important that elders achieve and maintain a good reputation
before unbelievers.
I hope you have enjoyed and been enlightened as to what it
entails to be an elder. It is not something any man should lightly consider.
While it is a heavy duty it is also a great honor that must be bestowed only on
those who qualify according to what Scripture dictates.
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