-Every flock needs someone - or someones - to watch over them and feed them (cf John 21.15-17). These folks are called shepherds. Those who shepherd spiritual flocks (i.e. churches) we now like to call pastors, but in fact, the only occurance of the word “pastor” in the entire NT is the word for “shepherd”. Aka elders (Acts 20.17, 28; Titus 1.5-7), Paul (and his proteges) appointed these episkopos - these watcher-overs (overseers) - in every place where they began to gather a flock (planted a church/assembly - Acts 14.23, cf Philippians 1.1). As such we find rather lengthy and explicit instructions in his letters to Timothy and Titus on how to go about finding just the right men to put in charge of the flock, and what they need to be like, those who would undertake this beautiful work of shepherding the sheep.
-Above reproach. Above reproach. First and foremost. As much as anything, a shepherd of saints needs to be above reproach. That’s the first thing he mentions. This word is used only three times in all of Scripture, all three times in this letter from Paul to Timothy, but it is quite common in Greek literature. This is one who literally cannot be laid hold of, who cannot be touched. Untouchable. It is this idea of being blameless, nobody can stick a single accusation of misconduct on him anywhere. Not the least hint of even a whiff of wrongdoing or moral corner-cutting to be found anywhere in his life. No doubt there is a sense in which this blamelessness is already true positionally of every believer in Christ, a stature without which there is no access to the perfect heavenly realms, and indeed this spiritual reality will be fully manifested when Christ finally returns for His glorious Bride (1Corinthians 1.8, Colossians 1.22). But on this side of eternity, to the extent that the leadership of administrating this beautiful work of building this church now is entrusted to certain men, these men must indeed be untouchable, as untouchable as humanly possible in this life (Titus 1.6, where Paul uses a synonym).
-The rest of the adjectives Paul uses here color in the lines as to the extent and the ways in which an overseer must be above and beyond reproach in every area of his life. Exemplary. Someone the flock can look to and follow and imitate (1Peter 5.3, cf 1Timothy 4.12, Titus 2.7). Just like Paul (Philippians 3.17, 2Thessalonians 3.7, 9). And Jesus (John 13.15, 1Peter 2.21).
-Husband of one wife. So the first way in which a prospective overseer needs to be blameless is in his marriage. A husband of one wife, Paul says. Not a whiff of impropriety here. Certainly no adultery (Exodus 20.14). No divorce (Matthew 19.5-6). This is not about forgiveness, nor is it about restoration. A man can find forgiveness and restoration for leaving or cheating on his wife - and he can subsequently find MANY ways to serve in the assembly. But he cannot then serve as an overseer. As much as anything tho, this is likely about polygamy, which was widely practiced among the Jews and other peoples in the Middle East. No harems here. Or, rather it is more about the heart which would be so inclined towards sensuality as to pursue that kind of lifestyle. There is no turning the one-flesh thing into a combo meal, some multi-flesh gig. No fries and a drink with that. The kind of love and faithfulness and self-control and self-sacrifice which is necessary for maintaining healthy enduring cherishing monogamy is perfectly suited for those who would watch over a flock of sheep who need constant attention and care.
-It is any wonder that this happens to be the area where so many men seem to struggle the most? The appetites here are strong. The force is strong with this one. The battleground for men does indeed appear to be the struggle for sexual purity, whether in their marriages or simply in their thought lives. Sexual impurity, lust, infidelity, immorality - the evil one has indeed targeted this area for many a man, with great success. Many a man struggles to be blameless in this area. Many a leader has fallen. Even David fell - a man after God's own heart - with great and terrible consequences. Men - we must be vigilant on on guard for any and all temptations to sin in this area. We must double down and pursue faithfulness and purity in our marriages and in our thought lives, and do whatever it takes to stay untouchable. Whatever it takes! No one touches us but the wife of our youth, the one whom God has given to us. Not in our hearts or our minds or our bodies. And we touch no one else. No one else. No one. Untouchable. Off limits.
-What about single guys - is Paul saying no to them? He is certainly not forbidding marriage for clergy - far from it! Propenents of clerical celibacy do point to the admonitions of 1Corinthians 7.26-27, where Paul shares what he clearly says is an opinion about a person remaining single in order to secure more undistracted devotion to the Lord. On the one hand, a single guy would indeed have more time and energy and ability to focus on shepherding the flock. On the other hand, he would not be as effectively able to sympathize with and set an example for married members of his assembly. I think Paul is neither prohibiting nor exclusively endorsing single men as overseers, but is probably more concerned that potential shepherds exhibit self-control, as the next few descriptors make clear...
-Sober is the one who can remain calm and clear-headed. Clarity of mind resulting in judgment which is unimpaired (i.e. by excessive alcohol or any other such influences). The opposite of intoxication. Moderate. Many versions use the word temperate. This is the ability to avoid the things which would displease the Lord. Thus this becomes about being able to say no, self-control, esp for the sake of something important (1Peter 1.13, 5.8). Higher stakes, a higher call. And in this, the stakes could be no higher. This is about the flock and the Kingdom of God.
-Prudent complements this soberness (both words also paired in 1Peter 4.7). It is the former demon-controlled man who is now clothed in his “right mind” (Luke 8.35). It is the young men being “sensible” about the choices they make (Titus 2.6). It is a safe or sound mind, controlled, not given to impulsive or foolish flights of fancy. It is a clear keen sense of what time it is, a firm grip on reality and what is really important (and by extension what is not). The ability to stay on target and on task. It is “...clear focus on basic ideas at the core of our tasks, the other details becoming like a false currency...” This focus, this mental grip allows one to master the fundamentals. This is a football. This is what we want to carry across the goal line.
-Orderly. Actually this is the same word used in 1Timothy 2.9 for “proper” clothing. A proper life. Appropriate. Well-ordered. So, not in chaos. Not confused or directionless. Disciplined. Able to manage the chaos. This is exactly the kind of lifestyle which others can respect and look up to, which they can admire. Perhaps not everybody is skilled at organization and managing chaos, but an overseer must be.
-Loving strangers. Philoxenia. The bar gets higher. This is love straight from the heart of God (Psalm 146.9). Love in spite of, loving the unlovely, those who haven’t earned it and who perhaps cannot make return on it. This is the Good Samaritan, who cares for the needy and the stranger (cf Exodus 22.21; Leviticus 19.34, 25.35; Matthew 25.34-40; Luke 10.33-34). Yes, this is the one who feeds the hungry and clothes the naked, the one who takes in the stranger and visits the sick and the prisoners. Straight from the mouth of Jesus - these are the textbook illustrations of what loving one’s neighbor is supposed to look like - including those neighbors whom you don’t know (yet). The stranger. The strange ones. The Lord has always expected His people to have regard and care for those who are down and out or on the outside, and this needs to be particularly true of any would-be overseer.
-Able to teach. Some suggest this can mean teachability, and while teachability is indeed a desireable quality in leaders as well as followers, all translations have this as being able to teach others. Apparently some elders are more fruitfully engaged in teaching than others (1Timothy 5.7), but as much as anything an overseer must be able to teach sound doctrine to the flock, not only providing spiritual food but also direction. Sheep need help finding food and finding their way. So a good shepherd is good at leading his sheep to green pastures and beside still waters and guiding them in paths of righteousness (Psalm 23.1-3). Already in this letter, Paul has addressed the problem of some teaching strange doctrine (1Timothy 1.3), and the opportunity/priority to teach and use the Law lawfully (1Timothy 1.7-8). He has mentioned how God counted him faithful and put him into service to teach the Gentiles (1Timothy 1.12, 2.7), and how Timothy needs to fight the good fight of keeping the faith (1Timothy 1.18-19), unlike Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have become blasphemers (1Timothy 1.20)(could these be the certain ones who were in fact teaching strange doctrine?). There is indeed a gift of teaching and there are gifted teachers (1Corinthians 12.28, Ephesus 4.11) - yes, some are better than others. And at a different level surely the work of teaching and passing on the truths of the faith is entrusted to every believer (Colossians 3.16), even to every parent (Deuteronomy 6.7), but these shepherd overseers must be able to teach sound doctrine and the truth of God’s Word to the flock. Among all these other things. Next verse...!
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