(Elders – Lesson 4) 1
Overview of the Qualifications, Selection
and Appointment of Elders
Lesson Four
Qualifications from 1st Timothy:
I.
"Not violent" [me plektes] (1 Timothy 3:3)
A. Other translations:
1. "Not violent" (ESV, NIV, NKJV, NRSV, RSV)
2. "Not a bully" (Holman)
3. "Must not be… troublemakers" (CEV)
4. "Must not… like to fight" (NCV)
5. "Not... pugnacious" (NASV)
6. "He must not be... a brawler" (NEB)
7. "No striker" (ASV)
8. "Not a striker" (KJV, Young)
B. Definitions:
1. Bauer, Danker, Arndt and Gingrich: "pugnacious man, bully in a list of
qualities for a bishop 1 Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7." (p. 669)
2. Thayer: "[A.V. striker], bruiser, ready with a blow; a pugnacious,
contentious, quarrelsome person: 1 Tim. iii. 3; Tit. i. 7...." (#4131, p. 516)
3. Vine: "a striker, a brawler (akin to plesso, to strike, smite), occurs in 1
Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7." (#4131, p. 1096)
C. Comments:
1. An elder will most likely knock on doors where he is not welcome, and
reprove and rebuke those who may not be receptive to his admonitions.
a. Therefore, he must not be the kind of man who is ready to settle an
argument with physical violence.
2. The famous 19th century Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon,
told his students: "Don't go about the world with your fist doubled up for
(Elders – Lesson 4) 2
fighting, carrying a theological revolver in the leg of your trousers."
(Quoted
in Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 220)
D. Questions:
1. Is this man hot-headed or quick-tempered?
2. Does he visibly show anger when others disagree with him?
3. Is he able to control his temper in public, but not at home?
II.
"Not greedy for money" [me aischrokerdes] (1 Timothy 3:3)
A. Other translations:
1. "Not greedy for money" (NKJV)
2. "Not a lover of money" (ESV, Wuest)
3. "And not love money" (CEV)
4. "Not loving money" (NCV)
5. "Not greedy" (Holman)
6. "Not greedy of base gain" (Berry)
7. "Not given to filthy lucre" (Young)
8. "Not greedy of filthy lucre" (KJV)
9. Phrase is omitted (ASV, NASV, NEB, NIV, NRSV, RSV) 1
B. Definitions:
1. Bauer, Danker, Arndt and Gingrich: "fond of dishonest gain, greedy for
money...." (p. 25)
2. Thayer: "eager for base gain, [greedy of filthy lucre]: 1 Tim. iii. 3 Rec., 8;
Tit. i. 7...." (#146, p. 17)
1
These versions are based on the Westcott and Hort critical text (1881), or Nestle-Aland critical text (1963-2012),
or the United Bible Society, Third Edition critical text (1975), largely taken from Nestle-Aland, and is designated
as NU-Text. The latest edition of the Nestle-Aland text, Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th Edition, was published
in 2012. These critical texts are translated from Greek manuscripts designated as belonging to the Alexandrian
text-type, and to some extent on a few more recent Greek manuscript discoveries (usually originating well after
the 3rd century AD). Whereas the KJV, and NKJV are based on the Textus Receptus (c. 1516) which is translated
from Greek manuscripts designated as belonging to the Byzantine text-type (also called the Majority Text). The
Byzantine text-type is called the Majority Text because it comprises approximately 92 percent of all known NT
manuscripts, while the Alexandrian text-type is comprised of approximately 5 percent of known manuscripts.
(Elders – Lesson 4) 3
3. Vine: "denotes greedy of base gains..., 1 Tim. 3:8, 'greedy of filthy lucre;'
so the R.V. in Tit. 1:7, A.V., 'given to) filthy lucre.' In some mss. 1 Tim
3:3." (#146, p. 696)
C. Comments:
1. A. C. Hervey: "When lucre is the price for doing wrong, it is 'filthy.' When
lucre is sought on occasions where none is due, it is 'filthy;' and when the
desire of even just gains is excessive, it ceases to be clean."
("1 Timothy,"
Pulpit Commentary, p. 53)
2. This does not mean:
a. An elder must be poor or thrifty.
b. An elder cannot display his prosperity, even appropriately.
3. This refers to:
a. A man willing to resort to dishonesty to make money.
b. A man engaged in a business that is illegal, unethical, or immoral.
1) Some things are legal, yet not moral or ethical.
c.
Matthew 7:12 (cf. Luke 6:31)
4. The man who is consumed with making money any way he can:
a. Generally won't have a good reputation.
b. May not give proper attention to his duties as an elder.
c.
Might even embezzle funds. (cf. John 12:4-6)
d. Might be stingy in using the Lord's money to do the Lord's work.
1) Keith Sharp: "Perhaps this very problem explains why so many
elders worry more about the money expended on seed and sod
than on the teaching extended to saints and sinners." ("Qualifications
Of Elders (4)," Guardian Of Truth, Oct. 22, 1981, p. 662)
5. This qualification is absolutely essential for the man who would be a
shepherd of the Lord's people and the Lord's money.
D. Questions:
1. Does this man use questionable methods for obtaining money?
2. Does he have a reputation for taking advantage of people financially?
(Elders – Lesson 4) 4
3. Is he honest and above board in his business dealings?
III.
"Gentle" [epieikes] (1 Timothy 3:3)
A. Other translations:
1. "Gentle" (ASV, CEV, ESV, Holman, RSV, NASV, NIV, NKJV, NRSV,
Young) 2
2. "Patient" (KJV)
3. "Forbearing" (Marshall)
4. "Of a forbearing disposition" (NEB)
5. "Sweetly reasonable" (Wuest)
B. Definitions:
1. Bauer, Danker, Arndt and Gingrich: "yielding, gentle, kind (so Thu. +) w.
amachos 1 Ti 3:3; Tit 3:2. W. agathos perh. = right-minded...." (p. 292)
2. Thayer: "(eikos, what is reasonable); 1. seemly, suitable, (fr. Hom.
down). 2. equitable, fair, mild, gentle: 1 Tim. iii. 3; Tit. iii. 2; 1 Pet. ii. 18;
Jas. iii. 17...." (#1933, p. 238)
3. Vine: "from epi, unto, and eikos, likely, denotes seemly, fitting; hence,
equitable, fair, moderate, forbearing, not insisting on the letter of the law;
it expresses that considerateness that looks 'humanely and reasonably
at the facts of a case'...." (#1933, pp. 474-475)
C. Comments:
1. E. K. Simpson: "Epiekes defies exact translation... Gracious, kindly,
forbearing, considerate, magnanimous, genial, all approximate to the
idea."
(p. 51, quoted in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 11, p. 365)
2. William Hendriksen: "The rendering 'yielding' or 'ceding' – which also
corresponds with the root-idea of the word used in the original –
expresses the meaning in part. However, it may be doubted whether any
single word or expression in the English tongue is the complete
equivalent of the original. The qualities of yieldedness, fairness, sweet
2
Some contemporary versions list this qualification earlier in the verse, and not in the same order as other
versions.
(Elders – Lesson 4) 5
reasonableness, gentleness, helpfulness, and generosity are combined
in the conciliatory, considerate, genial, better than debonair, individual."
(Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, p. 125)
3. This is an essential quality for a man who must deal with sinners.
a. While he hates sin, he loves sinners.
b. While he is uncompromising toward truth, he is compassionate with
those in error. (cf. Mark 6:34)
4. In one sense, he is approachable.
a. Like Jesus, he is the friend of publicans and sinners. (cf. Luke 7:34;
cf. Luke 15:1-2)
5. In another sense, he is reasonable and conciliatory.
a. Not an overbearing bully, but reasonable, fair and willing to yield. (cf.
James 3:17)
b. Keith Sharp: "For a man to rule the house of God he must be
reasonable, in order to consider the needs and wishes of the
congregation and to weigh scriptural evidence for varying positions.
He must gently lead the sheep rather than roughly drive them."
("Qualifications Of Elders (4)," Guardian Of Truth, Oct. 22, 1981, p. 663)
D. Questions:
1. Is this man kind, considerate, and understanding?
2. Is he firm, and yet fair and gentle, in his stand for truth?
3. Is he willing to yield to the wishes and views of others in matters of
opinion?
4. Is he the kind of person you can talk to about your problems? Is he
approachable?
a. If there is something about this person that would make you afraid or
reluctant to go and talk with him about the most sensitive areas of
your life, he is most likely not qualified to be an elder.
IV.
"Not quarrelsome" [amachos] (1 Timothy 3:3)
A. Other translations:
1. "Not quarrelsome" (ESV, Holman, NIV, NKJV, NRSV, RSV)
(Elders – Lesson 4) 6
2. "Not a brawler" (KJV)
3. "Not contentious" (ASV, Young)
4. "Uncontentious" (NASV)
5. "Avoiding quarrels" (NEB)
6. "Peaceable" (NCV)
B. Definitions:
1. Bauer, Danker, Arndt and Gingrich: "peaceable...." (p. 44)
2. Thayer: "in Grk. writ. [fr. Pind. down] commonly not to be withstood,
invincible; more rarely abstaining from fighting.... in the N.T. twice
metaph. not contentious: 1 Tim. iii. 3; Tit. iii. 2." (#269, p. 31)
3. Vine: "an adjective, lit., not fighting (a, negative, mache, a fight), came to
denote, metaphorically, not contentious, 1 Tim. 3:3, and Tit. 3:2, R.V., for
A.V., 'not a brawler,' 'not brawlers.'"
(#269, p. 138)
C. Comments:
1. Some brethren simply love controversy – to stir up issues in the church.
2. An elder is just the opposite – one who does not enjoy controversy or
contentions.
a. They earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3) without being
contentious.
b. We can stand for the truth without being spiteful or contentious
D. Questions:
1. Does this man enjoy argument for argument's sake?
2. Does he generate controversy or disagreements?
3. Does he seek and contribute to peace?
4. Is he easy to get along with?
5. Is he patient and kind to all who may insult or disagree with him?
V.
"Not covetous" [aphilarguros] (1 Timothy 3:3)
A. Other translations:
1. "Not covetous" (KJV, NKJV)
2. "Not loving money" (Berry)
(Elders – Lesson 4) 7
3. "Not avaricious" (Marshall)
4. "Not a lover of money" (NIV, NRSV, Young)
5. "No lover of money" (ASV, NEB, RSV)
6. "Free from the love of money" (NASV)
B. Definitions:
1. Bauer, Danker, Arndt and Gingrich: "not loving money, not greedy 1 Ti
3:3...."
(p. 126)
2. Thayer: "not loving money, not avaricious; only in the N.T., twice viz 1
Tim. iii. 3; Heb. xiii. 5."
(#866, p. 89)
3. Vine: "No. 2 [philarguros, lit., money-loving, ksk], with negative prefix, is
translated 'without covetousness' in Heb. 13:5, A.V.; R.V., 'free from the
love of money.' In 1 Tim. 3:3, the A.V. has 'not covetous,' the R.V., 'no
lover of money.'"
(#866, p. 245)
C. Comments:
1. This is not a condemnation of:
a. Working to acquire money, or to be successful. (cf. Ephesians 4:28;
1 Timothy 5:8)
b. Wealth – whether inherited or earned.
2. But this is a condemnation of
a. One who has an inordinate affection or desire for money, or who
caters to the rich. (cf. 1 Timothy 6:9; Proverbs 14:20)
b. One who has an inordinate affection for material things –
possessions.
c.
One who is envious of the success or possessions of others.
3. This is not the kind of man you want to appoint to the eldership who must
be trusted to make sound decisions concerning the use of the Lord's
money.
D. Questions:
1. Does he place too high a value on material things?
2. Does he neglect his family or spiritual things in his pursuit of money?
(Elders – Lesson 4) 8
3. Is he too consumed with making money to devote time to the Lord's
work?
4. Is he always wishing he had what others have?
5. Does he show partiality to those who have money?
6. Is his giving in proportion to his income?