A Pastor’s Qualifications – Part 1 – 1 Timothy 3:2-3

12th lesson in a verse by verse series through 1 Timothy. This lesson explores the pastoral qualifications in Vs. 2 & 3.

This Chapter: Outlines the qualifications for the two church offices – Pastor and Deacon. The chapter ends with those great statements concerning the nature of the local church and the truth concerning Christ she is to uphold.

The importance of having qualified, local church leadership: Everything rises and falls on leadership. Hosea 4:9 “like people like priest” Strong leadership = strong church. Weak leadership = weak church

Some similarities between qualifications. The office of pastor is the highest office with 16 qualifications listed compared with 8 or 9 qualifications for the deacon.

Titus 1:5-9 – Other passage dealing with a Pastor’s qualifications

The General Qualification (Vs. 2a)

1. ‘blameless’ = a general description of one’s life.
2. Means “not to be taken upon”
3. No just cause for accusation; above reproach
4. “A bishop must be of such a spotless character that no one can lay hold upon anything in his life which would be of a such a nature as to cast reproach upon the cause of the Lord Jesus.” Wuest
5. Note: Blameless, not faultless!

The Marital Qualification (Vs. 2b)

1. Literally means, “A one woman man”
2. No polygamy (important in the ancient world)
3. No divorce
4. No record of immorality after marriage (note ‘blameless’)
5. Note: The first institution created by God and the bed rock of the church and society. If a pastor is weak in this area, he will have a negative influence on all the other marriages in the church under his care.
6. Question: Does a man have to be married to pastor? Answer: Not stated as a qualification but is assumed (also Vs. 4-5). B.H. Carrol stated, “I will say this for the unmarried pastor: If he is not wiser than Solomon, more prudent than Augustus and more patient than Job, he certainly has rocks ahead for him.” (Interpretation of the English Bible)

The Character Qualifications (Vs. 2c-3)

Positively he must be:

1. Vigilant
   1. Means to be watchful, alert to what is going on around him, cautious
   2. 2 Timothy 4:5 “…watch thou in all things…”
2. Sober
   1. Literally, ‘wineless’ not under the influence of intoxicating liquor
   2. Means to be sound-minded, to think straight, have a serious attitude
   3. Opposite to a flippant, careless attitude
3. Of good behaviour
   1. Same root word as ‘modest’ in 2:9
   2. Means orderly, well-arranged, organised, appropriate, well- mannered, dignified
4. Given to hospitality
   1. Literally, a lover of strangers (Christian) or one who is fond of offering hospitality. Hospitality in its strictest sense is something exercised towards those who are not in our immediate comfort zone.
   2. For all believers (Rom 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9)
   3. Hospitality: One of the special blessings of the Christian family
5. Apt to teach
   1. Must be a capable teacher (able and skilled). More than just a willingness to teach.
   2. He must first be taught (2 Tim 2:2, Titus 1:9)
   3. He must be gifted: B.H. Carrol: “Ignorance can be cured, but the natural incapacity to teach is irremediable so far as this office is concerned.”
   4. He must take that responsibility: While other men can be called on to preach the primary task of instructing the flock is the Pastor’s responsibility.

Negatively he must not be:

1. Not given to wine
   1. Abstaining from strong drink and alcoholic beverages
   2. Illustration: Baptist Union leadership in Bathurst would have their business meetings at a pub!
   3. Wine in the Bible: Word used to describe both good and bad wine. Key: Context. “Words travel in meaning according to context.”
   4. Examples: Prov. 3:10; 20:1, 23:29-35
2. No striker
   1. Not a giver of blows, not violent
   2. Doesn’t lash out in anger or acts of physical abuse
   3. Illustration: Fijian pastor who punched a taxi driver
3. Not greedy of filthy lucre
   1. Not a lover of money
   2. Not using the ministry for financial gain
   3. Note: 5:17 for church members mindset
4. Patient
   1. Means gentle (translated 3 times as ‘gentle’ in N.T.)
   2. 2 Timothy 2:24 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”
5. Not a brawler
   1. Literally means, “without war”
   2. Not a contentious, quarrelsome person
   3. Peaceful
6. Not covetous
   1. Literally, “not a lover of silver”
   2. He is to be in pursuit of spiritual, eternal things rather than temporal gain.
   3. 1 Timothy 5:10-11 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
   4. Pastor’s need to be careful about getting infatuated with business. E.g. trying to pastor and make money at the same time.

Conclusion

Pray for your Pastor. Turn these points into a prayer list rather than a critique sheet!

Sermon 12 of 27 in 1 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 6121663710