1 Timothy 3 Pt. 3 Pastors And Elders Must Have Bible Knowledge And A Heart To Serve

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 

We have learned that the office of a bishop, elder, or pastor is for men who have been called by God to this ministry.

Those who desire to serve God as a bishop, elder or pastor, must do so out of love for God and the sheep of His pasture. 

It is an office meant to serve others , not to enrich the one holding it. It requires one to seek godliness with contentment, for this is great gain.  

A pastor, bishop, or elder must seek to exalt Jesus Christ rather than exalting self. It is an office that requires a servant's heart, a humble spirit, a longsuffering, patient attitude toward others.  

This office requires a deep commitment to study the scriptures, in order to preach it, by teaching line upon line or by expository preaching. 

A bishop, elder, or pastor must be blameless, having a life pattern demonstrating consistent obedience to God's Word. 

He must be the husband of one wife, that is, not having divorced and remarried. 

He must be vigilant, on the alert for false teachers, and ready to confront false doctrine. 

Paul tells us that a bishop, pastor, or elder must be "sober." This is the idea of having a sound mind, able to make sound, Biblically informed decisions. 

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

A bishop, elder, or pastor should be a man of Bible learning, with an extensive and well cultivated mind, and who is prudent, and practical.

He hates evil and avoids it. He loves other Christians with sincerity. He constantly seeks that which is good. 

He has a kind, Christ like heart toward other believers in Christ, and seeks their welfare before his own. 

It means being able to curb one's fleshly desires, one who is self controlled and temperate in all things. 

Websters 1828 dictionary defines "sober" as one who is not mad or insane, not wild or heated with passion. 

It is one who regularly exercises sound reasoning and logic, based upon truth that the Bible teaches. 

A bishop, elder, or pastor must have character "of good behavior." Such a man's love for God and others is well known. He seeks to do good for all, even his enemies.

He is known to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). 

This means that a man who is foolish, given to silliness, should not seek this office. 

It means that those who are angry, sullen, having a sour attitude, or a complaining spirit, are not fit for the office of a bishop, elder or pastor. 

Romans 12:13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 

A bishop, elder or pastor must "be given to hospitality." This is the idea of being kind to strangers or generous to guests. 

Paul captures both meanings of this phrase in his letter to the church at Rome. A bishop, elder, or pastor sees needs of other Christians, and according to his ability, he seeks to meet those needs. 

He may cultivate a friendship with one who is lonely. He may have people over for a meal and Christian fellowship. 

He may know that a member of his church needs items of clothing, and may share some of his own clothes or buy some, to meet that need. 

1 Peter 4:9-10  Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10)  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

He may offer housing and meals for visiting missionaries. He does this with a cheerful demeanor, knowing that he can be a blessing to someone else. 

He ministers with a good heart, never thinking of his own inconvenience or cost as he is given to hospitality.

Paul tells us that a bishop, elder, or pastor must "be apt to teach." This means he must have skills and a desire to teach the truth from God's word. 

He must be one capable of teaching, not only wise himself, but ready to communicate his wisdom to others. 

He is apt to teach, one fitted for preaching, one who is both able and willing to communicate to others the knowledge which God has given him. 

He is prepared to teach and ready to take all opportunities of giving instructions, because he is well instructed in the things of God, and desire to share these truths with others.

He must take delight in instructing the ignorant or those who are out of the way. He must be an accurate, strong preacher, zealous for the things of God, seeking God's glory and His best for His people. 

Notice as you read the texts from Psalm 119 below, how the Psalmist captures the heart of a bishop, elder, or pastor who is apt to teach. It affects all the qualifications of the office. 

He finds delight in studying God's Word and seeks to memorize it, for he knows hiding the Word in his heart cleanses his way.

He knows that hope is found in the scriptures, and therefore, he will restrain his feet from following after the world's wicked ways.

He is apt to teach, because he has personally  experienced the entrance of the Word into his own heart, such that he has received illumination from God, and chooses to walk in light.

He prays for the LORD to order his steps in the Word, as he studies it. He wants God to show him and teach him what he needs to know. 

This prepares the elder, bishop, or pastor for ministry and for preaching or teaching the scriptures. His tongue will be ready to speak forth the scriptures so that others may become worshippers of God. 

Psalm 119:16  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalm 119:74  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

Psalm 119:101  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:133  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:172  My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Most of us will not be a bishop, elder, or pastor, but these very things are worthy of our best energies.  

Pursuing these things will make us into a sober minded people, given to hospitality, seeking to do that which is right and good, with a heart of ministry toward others. 

We too, should become diligent students of the Bible, so that we can be guided by its truth, shepherded by our Lord and molded by His Spirit.

Bob