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, (Titus 1:7)
There is not a shift from a discussion of elders to one of pastors and bishops. The “Overseer ” or pastor is an elder. The participle “for” indicates not only a continuation of thought, but an extended logical explanation of the previous verses. The Greek word used here (???? :: gar), indicates an actual intensification of the previous discussion. We see that intensification as Paul drills down into the requirements.
Paul again talks about being blameless, but not just in a general “is he a good man” sort of way. Paul’s emphasis is on being blameless in the role of pastor. This pastor is to become a steward of the work God has given to him. It is NOT the pastor’s work, church, congregation. It is God’s work. The pastor is JUST the steward. His actions reflect on the true owner, God, of the work.
With all the talk of free-will in the modern church, it is interesting that Paul makes it clear that pastor’s are not to be self willed. Whose will is the pastor to seek? Why God’s will of course. Our will is tarnished by a fallen nature. Were our nature of value, then why would we need to be regenerated? If our will was capable of fulfilling God’s eternal plan, then why would Paul warn against self willed leaders in the church?
The pastor is to not be quick tempered. The KJV reads as “not soon angry”. Note that anger is not prohibited. There are times that a pastor needs to be up in the face of the congregation. Righteous wrath is appropriate. But a pastor needs to have discernment regarding God’s flock.
Baptists are notorious for their condemnation of all alcohol. But even here, Paul doesn’t say abstinence. He says not drunkenness.
Pugnacious is a big word that means “inclined to quarrel”. As we will see later in the book, some battles within the church are worth fighting over. They are worth removing folks from fellowship over. But a pastor willing to fight over global warming, politics, sports, carpet color probably isn’t interested in fighting over the more important theological matters that matter.
The AJC religion section this last Sunday had a write up about the IRS and its investigation into large prosperity driven churches across the United States. A pastor whose focus is on God and God’s kingdom will not be focused on his own kingdom growth. My dad used to say that it is rare for a pastor to move from a large church to a small church. I must say that the observations of my young life seem to confirm that statement. A pastor should not be in ministry for the money. God will take care of his own. Yeah, pastors should receive a double portion for their service (1 Tim 5:17-18). For on them a great responsibility lies.
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Notes: Titus 1:7
There is not a shift from a discussion of elders to one of pastors and bishops. The “Overseer ” or pastor is an elder. The participle “for” indicates not only a continuation of thought, but an extended logical explanation of the previous verses. The Greek word used here (???? :: gar), indicates an actual intensification of the previous discussion. We see that intensification as Paul drills down into the requirements.
Paul again talks about being blameless, but not just in a general “is he a good man” sort of way. Paul’s emphasis is on being blameless in the role of pastor. This pastor is to become a steward of the work God has given to him. It is NOT the pastor’s work, church, congregation. It is God’s work. The pastor is JUST the steward. His actions reflect on the true owner, God, of the work.
With all the talk of free-will in the modern church, it is interesting that Paul makes it clear that pastor’s are not to be self willed. Whose will is the pastor to seek? Why God’s will of course. Our will is tarnished by a fallen nature. Were our nature of value, then why would we need to be regenerated? If our will was capable of fulfilling God’s eternal plan, then why would Paul warn against self willed leaders in the church?
The pastor is to not be quick tempered. The KJV reads as “not soon angry”. Note that anger is not prohibited. There are times that a pastor needs to be up in the face of the congregation. Righteous wrath is appropriate. But a pastor needs to have discernment regarding God’s flock.
Baptists are notorious for their condemnation of all alcohol. But even here, Paul doesn’t say abstinence. He says not drunkenness.
Pugnacious is a big word that means “inclined to quarrel”. As we will see later in the book, some battles within the church are worth fighting over. They are worth removing folks from fellowship over. But a pastor willing to fight over global warming, politics, sports, carpet color probably isn’t interested in fighting over the more important theological matters that matter.
The AJC religion section this last Sunday had a write up about the IRS and its investigation into large prosperity driven churches across the United States. A pastor whose focus is on God and God’s kingdom will not be focused on his own kingdom growth. My dad used to say that it is rare for a pastor to move from a large church to a small church. I must say that the observations of my young life seem to confirm that statement. A pastor should not be in ministry for the money. God will take care of his own. Yeah, pastors should receive a double portion for their service (1 Tim 5:17-18). For on them a great responsibility lies.