July 13
The Office of Bishop
1 Timothy 3:2-7

 

  1. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
  2. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
  3. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
  4. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
  5. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
  6. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

 

These are conditions for the position of a bishop.  Strong’s Concordance gives the meaning of this word bishop as "superintendent" as someone in charge of a church.  In charge in the sense of overseeing and watching over the church.

He lists the characteristics—blameless, husband of one wife etc.  In verse 6 he says ‘not a novice,’ or not a new convert to the faith.  It’s important not to put new Christians into positions of authority in the church.  Sometimes we may look at a person’s position in the world and because they have a certain status in the world in their place of employment we assume they can handle responsibility in the church.

Just because someone has a lot of education, success or responsibility in their career does not mean that they can take on responsibility in the church.  If they are a new Christian they do not understand the spiritual side of things enough to stand in the office of bishop and watch over the church.  There are other things they can do in the church but being in an overseer position is not one of them.

He also says in verse 7 that he must have a good reputation with those outside the church.  That may take time to build a reputation like that with those outside the church, especially if the person has not been a Christian for a long time and has done some things recently that have hurt his reputation.  It takes time for a reputation in Christ to build.

 

Confession:

I realize the God-given qualifications one put in charge of the church should have.  I will do my part to see that the Word of God is upheld when leaders are placed in positions of authority in my church.  If it’s not my place to voice my opinion I will at least pray for those who make the decision.

 

 

Obedience is a tree of life!