“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul addressed the issue of the role of women in the church, and God’s directive they not serve as pastor/teachers or elders (I Tim. 2:9-15). He then wrote about those qualified men who God does call to serve as pastor/teachers and elders. The qualifications for men to serve in such a position of leadership are moral in nature and center on the issue of their character. The LORD wanted believers in Christ to know church leadership is all about godly character.
Paul began this section (3:1-7) with a brief introduction containing a phrase “The saying is trustworthy.” The word saying (λόγος; logos) refers to a message, a statement, or a declaration. What kind of message, statement, or declaration does Paul refer? It is trustworthy (Πιστὸς; pistos). It is a saying which is dependable, honorable, faithful and true. The trustworthy saying is, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”
If anyone (εἴ τις; ei tis) introduces a cause and effect, or an if/then, statement. The individual the Holy Spirit has in mind (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) is a male, because the word “anyone” is a masculine gender pronoun.
What further information does Paul provide about this male individual? He aspires for something. Aspires (ὀρέγεται; oregetai) is a present, middle, indicative verb. The action is continual, personal, and actual. It means to desire and to reach out for an object. What is the object to which the individual in question aspires or wants?
The aspired object is the office of overseer (ἐπισκοπῆς; episkopes). It refers to conduct oversight, supervision and overseership of a church or congregation. If a man desires (ἐπιθυμεῖ; epithymei) or passionately wants such a position, this is a noble task (καλοῦ ἔργου; kalou ergou). In other words, it is a good work to possess and not a position in order to lord over the flock (I Peter 5:1-4).
Within the framework of this opening statement, several biblical observations are necessary.
- Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. (Eph. 4:15-16; 5:23; Col. 1:18). The church is not a human organization but rather a spiritual organism, in which Jesus Christ is its leader and sustainer.
- All believers in Christ are priests and ministers (I Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:5-6). All believers are to minister and serve (Eph. 4:12; I Peter 4:10-11).
- The local church congregation possesses authority (Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-5). The congregation is the final authority in the church under the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
- God calls certain members of a local congregation to serve as leaders (Acts 20:28; I Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:7, 17).
- The Bible affirms church leaders to be a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; 15:22; 20:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; I Peter 5:1).
- The responsibility of the church elders is to feed, lead, and protect the church (Acts 20:17-35; I Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Titus 1:9).
“The word (overseer) identifies the men who are responsible to lead the church (cf. 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:7). In the NT the words “overseer,” “elder,” and “pastor” are used interchangeably to describe the same men (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Pet. 5:1–2). Overseers (pastors, elders) are responsible to lead (1 Tim. 5:17), preach and teach (5:17), help the spiritually weak (1 Thess. 5:12–14), care for the church (1 Pet. 5:1–2), and ordain other leaders (1 Tim. 4:14),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“It takes more than just being a male Christian to be an elder, as Paul begins to reveal in 1 Timothy 3:1. First, note that the term overseer here does not translate presbyteros, the normal Greek word for elder, but episkopos, from which we also get the term episcopal. An episcopal form of church government puts final decision-making for one or more geographic areas into one overseer’s hands,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“The terms episkopos and presbyteros are actually used of the same office in 1 Timothy 3:2 and 5:17 and in Titus 1:5, 7, and the Bible pictures a council or session of several episkopoi or presbyteroi governing each local church (Acts 20:17). John Calvin says the word bishop [overseer] is merely another title for a minister, pastor, or elder.”
“Paul calls the work of an elder a “noble task,” probably for several reasons. In the early church, being an elder made a man a more visible Christian and more apt to be persecuted. A reminder of the nobility of eldership could assuage any fears a man might have about being ordained. More importantly, elders shepherd the flock of the Lord, leading them in the way of salvation through prayer, teaching, and counsel (1 Peter 5:1–3). What could be more noble than that?” concludes Dr. Sproul.
Pray for those who serve in your church as elders. Encourage them in their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope (I Thess. 1:2-3). May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a God honoring day.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 