Qualifications of Elders
desire:
man desire--ὀρέγω, lit. to reach or stretch out. fig. to seek to accomplish a specific goal, aspire to, or
strive for. Translated "coveted" in 1 Tim. 6:10 and "desire" in Heb. 11:16"
desireth a good work--ἐπιθυμέω: epi (on) thumos (passion) to set one's passion, heart on a thing, thus strong desire to secure something or do something
This work must not be entered into lightly as one will begin the "watching of souls." (Heb. 13:17).
must: dei--2. to be obligatory — to be required by obligation, compulsion, or convention. (LRLGNT)
blameless
Irreproachable conduct
not deserving or worthy of rebuke or criticism
An adversary could not lay hold of something to bring a charge (WSNTDICT)
husband of one wife
one-woman man
not a polygamist in the first-century context
vigilant
νηφάλιος-originally free from alcohol, unmixed with wine, wineless
NT, sober, watchful
sober
σώφρων
Thayer: curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate
BDAG: being in control of oneself, prudent, thoughtful, self-controlled
In handling criticism, an elder needs soberness.
of good behavior
modest, evoking admiration or delight, respectable
"The virtue of the kósmios, however, is not only the propriety of his dress and demeanor, but of his inner life, uttering and expressing itself outwardly." WSNTDICT
given to hospitality
kind to strangers, loving to strangers
generous to guests
Elders will have opportunities to entertain members, non-members, preachers, etc.
apt to teach
skillful in teaching
An elder should be active in the teaching program of the church.
not given to wine
πάροινος-literally not abiding by or beside the wine
His children are not to be involved with riot (dissipation) and wine is such (Eph. 5:18).
An elder in the Lord's church will not drink and will not run with those who do: not because he is an elder, but because he is a Christian.
no striker
pugnacious person, bully, quarrelsome
Thayer: a bruiser, ready with a blow; a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person
An elder needs to be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.
not greedy of filthy lucre
BDAG: Shamelessly greedy for money
Eager to gain even if such degrades moral character (WSNTDICT)
An elder who is sinfully concerned about financial gain will not be concerned about spiritual gain.
patient
moderate (Phil. 4:5), yielding, gentle, kind, "not insisting on every right of letter of law or custom" (BDAG)
"For those in positions of superiority, epieikeia is an easy-going quality that moderates the inflexible severity of wrath, a fairness that corrects anything that might be odious or unjust in the strict application of the letter of the law." Spicq
moderation, level-headedness, extreme goodness that grants favors, equilibrium (Spicq)
an elder must be "balanced in his mentality and his behavior; he radiates serenity" Spicq
not a brawler
not contentious
BDAG: peaceable
How will he handle these sheep?
not covetous
BDAG: not loving money, not greedy.
literally: not a lover of silver
ruleth well his own house, children in subjection with all gravity
He exercises leadership over his house well.
Keeping children under control, subordinate to him with all respectfulness or honorableness.
Can he with the others rule the congregation? Will the church be in subjection to this man and do so with all respect for him? If his children do not respect and obey him, will the congregation respect and obey?
not a novice
νεόφυτος--newly planted in the Christian community
new convert
Elder needs to be firmly grounded in the faith, so he will not waver with the fads and fashions of the day.
good report
μαρτυρία--testimony, statement of approval (BDAG)
have a good standing with outsiders (BDAG); He needs to have a good reputation among non-members.
We generally only see members in their "Sunday best"
Co-workers, neighbors, and bosses know this individual and should be consulted before placing a man into the eldership.