What are the Biblical Qualifications of an Elder?

The Qualifications of an Elder and Deacon / Deaconesses

(Be sure to also see blog article, What are the Comparisons between Elders and Deacons? )

1 Timothy 3:1-7

1.  It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

2.  An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3.  not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

4.  He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

5.  (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

6.  and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

7.  And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9

5.  For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

6.  namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

7.  For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

8.  but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

9.  holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

A. Must be a male (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:6)

B. Must desire the work (1 Tim. 3:1)

C. Must be above reproach (blameless) (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)

D. The husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)

E. Have children who believe (Titus 1:6)

F.  Be temperate (vigilant) (1 Tim. 3:2)

G. Be self-controlled (Titus 1:8)

H. Be prudent (1 Tim. 3:2)

I. Be respectable (of good behavior) (1 Tim. 3:2)

J. Be hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2)

K. Be able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2)

L. Holding fast to the Word (Titus 1:9)

M. Be able to exhort and refute (Titus 1:9)

N. Must have a good reputation with those outside the church (1 Tim.3:7)

O. Not addicted to wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)

P. Manages his household well (1 Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6)

Q. Free from the love of money (covetous) (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1Pet. 5:2)

R. Gentle (patient) (1 Tim. 3:3)

S. Not pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3)

T. Not a new convert (novice) (1 Tim. 3:6)

U. Not self-willed (Titus 1:7)

V. Not quick-tempered (not soon angry) (Titus 1:7)

W. Loving what is good (lover of good men) (Titus 1:8)

X. Sensible (sober) (Titus 1:8)

Y. Just (Titus 1:8)

Z. Devout (holy) (Titus 1:8)

1 Timothy 3:11

11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

1 Peter 5:1-4

1. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

2.  shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

3.  nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

4. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

5. The Responsibilities of the Elders

  • A. Be on guard for yourselves (Acts 20:28)
  • B. Be on guard for the flock (Acts 20:28)
  • C. Be guided by God’s Word (Acts 20:32; Titus 1:9)
  • D. Be an example to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3)
  • E. Shepherd the flock (feed) (1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28)
  • F. Rule and rule well (1 Tim. 5:17)
  • G. Watch for harmful influences to the flock (Acts 20:29-30)
  • H. Silence empty talkers (Titus 1:10-11)
  • I. Assist in deciding differences that arise in the church (Acts 15:6)
  • J. Give instruction to the church (1 Thess. 5:12)
  • K. Help the weak (Acts 20:35)
  • L. Pray for the sick and administer to their needs (James 5:14)
  • M. Encourage the preaching of the gospel and establishment of new congregations when needed (Acts 16:4-5)
  • N. Watch for the souls of the church and give an account (Heb. 13:17) The last passage given above (Hebrews 13:17) summarizes the duties and responsibilities of the elders.

6.  Our Response to the Elders

  • A. Appreciate the elders (1 Thess. 5:12)
  • B. Esteem them very highly in love (1 Thess. 5:13)
  • C. Be submissive to the elders in their leadership of the church (Heb.13:17)
  • D. Live in peace with them (1 Thess. 5:13)
  • E. Obey the elders (Heb. 13:17)
  • F. Do not sharply rebuke an elder; appeal to him as a father (1 Tim.5:1)
  • G. Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19)
  • H. Remember them and imitate them (Heb. 13:17)
  • I. Count them worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 5:17-18)
  • J. Call them when in need (James 5:14)
  • K. Correct them when they continue to sin (1 Tim. 5:20)