● 1Tim 3:2c . . An overseer, then, must be temperate

This kind of temperance relates to a personality that's self controlled, sensible,
disciplined, levelheaded, avoiding extremes of behavior or expression, i.e. observing
reasonable limits.
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• 1Tim 3:2d . . An overseer, then, must be prudent

The Greek word for "prudent" is sophron (so'-frone) which means: having a
sound mind, i.e. rational, reasonable, and sensible as opposed to emotional and
reactive.
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• 1Tim 3:2e . . An overseer, then, must be respectable

The word for "respectable" is kosmios (kos'-mee-os) which means: orderly, viz:
decorous.

Webster's defines decorous as marked by propriety; viz: correct; and exhibiting
good taste in conduct, language, or appearance. A decorous person is-- among
other things --neat, tidy, well-mannered, well-groomed, and polite. They bathe
often too.
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• 1Tim 3:2f . . An overseer, then, must be hospitable

The word for "hospitable" is philoxenos (fil-ox'-en-os) which means: fond of guests.

In other words, church officers shouldn't be hermit types, or friendless loners
preferring solitude. Not that there's anything wrong with hermits and loners; it's
just that church officers are supposed to be shepherds, which requires them to
associate with the sheep entrusted to their care. A man who doesn't mingle easily
and comfortably really should consider taking a position in church where he doesn't
have to sit on a board, teach a class, or meet the public.
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• 1Tim 3:2g . . An overseer, then, must be apt to teach

"apt to teach" is from the word didaktikos (did-ak-tik-os') which means: instructive
("didactic")

That word is tricky. It's sometimes translated "able to teach". That's okay I guess,
but I suspect didaktikos actually refers to role models, i.e. people whose manner of
life exemplifies Christianity. In other words; their teaching is in shoe leather rather
than only in a classroom.
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• 1Tim 3:3a . . An overseer, then, must not be addicted to wine.

Church officers aren't forbidden alcohol; just too much alcohol.

"No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your
stomach and your frequent ailments." (1Tim 5:23)

A "little" wine can lead to a lot for someone with a predilection to over imbibe. For
people like that, it's best to avoid wine altogether rather than risk becoming a
candidate for AA.

For church officers with health issues, I suggest consulting a doctor because there
are much better treatments available in our day than there were back then.
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• 1Tim 3:3b . . An overseer, then, must not be pugnacious

Webster's defines pugnacious as: militant, defensive, warlike, combative, pushy,
assertive, intimidating, scrappy, and belligerent.

Some men are natural-born bullies and others are ready to "take it outside" at
every challenge. With them, turning the other cheek is not an option. Well; you
sure don't want personalities like that on the board of your church and/or helming a
pulpit. Heaven forbid!!!
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• 1Tim 3:3c . . An overseer, then, must be gentle, non contentious.

A good church officer isn't what might be called shrinking; but rather, he's an
affable, courageous man who selects his conflicts carefully.

For some people, every disagreement is an act of war: they're assertive,
demanding, reactive, defensive, and confrontational not just some of the time; but
all the time. A gentle man is not so quick to draw his guns at the slightest
provocation.

A gentle, non contentious man is a good choice to chair a Sunday school class
because there's always at least one or more hecklers, fault-finders, and/or know-it
all kibitzers in the room that are sure to try his patience.
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• 1Tim 3:3d. . An overseer, then, must be free from the love of money.

L.Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, started out as an author of pulp science
fiction novels for a penny per word. One day he came to the conclusion that the
real money was in religion, especially if it had a non-profit tax exemption.

Well; today, the net worth of just the top three of Scientology's upwards of thirty
entities-- Scientology International, the Flag Service Organization, and the Church
Of Spiritual Technology --is in the neighborhood of 1.5 billion dollars. The personal
net worth of David Miscavige, Scientology's current head, is rumored to be
somewhere around 50 million. It's very curious how a supposedly non-profit church,
and it's head, amassed such fortunes.

Back in 1988-99, a tel-evangelist named James Orsen Bakker was sentenced to 45
years in Federal prison (later reduced to 8) for embezzling millions of dollars from
his own ministry and using some of the money to construct an extravagant
mansion-- complete with gold plumbing --for he and wife Tammy, and a luxurious
kennel for their pet dog.

I would highly recommend that a prospective church officer's background be
checked before proceeding with the interview process. Is his credit good? Does he
have gambling debts? Does he prefer gourmet foods and restaurants? Does he
wear Armani suits, hand-made shoes, a Cartier wrist watch, and drive a new Lexus
SUV? What's his current home worth? What part of town does he live in? . .
because, unfortunately, there are men out there seeking careers in the business of
religion, and are very good at finding ways to get their fingers in a church's
treasury-- and not a few are looking for lucrative wage and benefit packages
instead of an opportunity to serve Christ faithfully, loyally, and effectively; and to
look out for his best interests instead of their own.
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• 1Tim 3:4-5. . An overseer, then, must manage his own family well, and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

There's respect, and then there's "proper" respect; which has to be nurtured because a father cannot get proper respect by force and/or intimidation; which instead earn fear, suspicion, mistrust, and dread. Tyranny might be good Machiavellian management, but should never be construed as good Christian management.
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• 1Tim 3:6. . An overseer, then, must not be a novice, or he may become conceited
and fall under the same judgment as the Devil.

Conceited people are usually infected with a superiority complex; which can be
roughly defined as a sort of master-race mentality.

If an inexperienced Christian is advanced too soon in church, they could easil
become so proud of themselves that they regard their position as an achievement
instead of a sacred trust. When someone is promoted to a position in church they
ought not celebrate as if they won valedictorian in their senior graduating class; no;
they really ought to be nervous because God is holding them to a higher standard
than the rank and file.

Take for example the Serpent in the third chapter of Genesis. That wasn't an
ordinary reptile. According to Rev 12:9 it was actually the Devil, a.k.a. Satan. He's
been slammed with a severe judgment appropriate for his rank among God's angels.
(Ezek 28:12-19)
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• 1Tim 3:7. . An overseer, then, must also have a good reputation with outsiders

Paul lists that qualification as a must, as opposed to merely a good idea.

You know; that's all a church needs is to install a new church officer only to find out
later he's the classic neighbor from Hell.

The new guy might be a one-eyed Jack in church, but the kids on his street, and
the people whose property adjoins his, the post man, the convenience store, the
gas station, the super market, the department store, the drive-up at McDonald's,
the trick-or-treaters, the bank, the paperboy, etc, have all seen the other side of
his face. It had better match the one he's shown you or your church's overall
influence in the community will be in the tank; and you will have a man in a key
spot whom Christ does not approve, and with whom he does not care to associate.
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• 1Tim 3:8-9 . . Deacons likewise must be men of dignity; etc, etc.

"dignity" is from the Greek word semnos (sem-nos') which means venerable, i.e.
deserving honor and respect, especially by reason of age; viz: esteemed.

The Greek word for "deacons" is diakonos (dee-ak'-on-os) which means: an
attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties).

Deacons aren't necessarily clergy. In point of fact, many are laymen because theirs
is a support role rather than a shepherd's role. And "deacon" isn't a career track,
rather, deacons are typically uncompensated volunteers.

It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for a church's officers to run the
operation all by themselves without a ready pool of reliable grunts; viz: ones who
step up to routine, unglamorous tasks.
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• 1Tim 3:10 . . And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if
they are beyond reproach.

The vetting process must of necessity include interviewing people who've had
experience with a candidate; for example:

"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by
the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being
neglected in the daily distribution.

. . . And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not
right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore,
brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and
of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to
prayer and to the ministry of the word."

The men considered for deacons in that passage were not only above average
spiritually, but also "of good repute". In other words: men being considered for
deacons really ought to be required to provide some character references.
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• 1Tim 3:11 . . In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect;
not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

Though an applicant for deacon may himself be a pious man, he's to be disqualified
if his wife's piety isn't on a par with his own.

I think that may be based upon Gen 2:18; where it's stated that a wife's purpose is
a supporting role rather than a starring role. An impious wife is probably not going
to be very enthusiastic about her pious husband's devotion to the care and function
of a church.
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• 1Tim 3:12-13 . . Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers
of their children and their own households.

Qualifications for deacons are very similar to those for the officers they assist. (cf.
1Tim 3:2, 1Tim 3:4-6)

Monogamy is a practical consideration. While true that some homes are content
with sister wives, Jacob's sure wasn't. Keeping it down to one wife rather than two
is one less distraction for church men to cope with.
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• 1Tim 4:7a . . Have nothing to do with the worldly fantasies of withered old women.

Paul isn't speaking of action comics and/or pulp novels that can be purchased at
venders like Barnes & Noble; but rather, of the religious traditions that the seniors
of every generation customarily pass down to the young; thus perpetuating non
Christian beliefs and practices.

The USA's indigenous cultural traditions would be a good example of this. When a
Native American becomes a Christian, the Bible's God expects them to disown
portions of their spiritual heritage, and let them go; not entirely of course; but
certain elements like contacting the spirits of one's deceased ancestors would have
to be scrubbed for sure.

This is a very sensitive issue and one where non-native Christians, unschooled in
Indigenous culture, seriously need to tread lightly. The White Man's early attempts
to completely wipe out everything Native American was a terrible mistake that
today's non-native Christians have got to be extra careful not to repeat.
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• 1Tim 4:7b-8 . .Train yourself to be pious. For physical training is of some value,
but piety has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the
life to come.

Webster's defines piety as devoutness, i.e. committed or devoted to religion or to
religious duties or exercises; also: devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior.

James wrote that faith without works is dead, and encouraged his readers to put
Christ's ways into practice rather than just study them in Sunday school. (Jas 1:22
25)

I'm pretty sure that one of the things "promise for the present life" refers to is
providence, which works to our best advantage when we're pious rather than
worldly. (John 14:21-23, 1John 1:6)
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• 1Tim 4:11 . . Command and teach these things.

I believe Paul was referring to everything he wrote in his letter; not just the last
few verses.

• 1Tim 4:12a . . Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech,
conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

It's commonly assumed that Paul's instructions were in reference to Timothy's age;
but I suspect it had more to do with his looks.

Some men age well; for instance the actor Rob Lowe. As of today, he's 56 years
old; but honestly doesn't look it. Rob is one of those lucky guys who seem to be
forever 21.

I think Timothy may have been like that. He just didn't look old enough to take the
reins of a church, let alone an entire diocese. In other words: is could be that
Timothy didn't look the part so he was going to have to really mean business if he
was to win people's respect.
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• 1Tim 4:13 . . Focus upon the public reading of scripture, and to preaching and
teaching.

Public reading was necessary because of the scarcity of Bibles in those days. All
were hand-written; none were mass-produced like now. But even with the ease of3
access to Bibles nowadays, the danger lies in Christians becoming self-taught if
church officers neglect to preach and teach. (cf. Eph 4:11-16)

Scripture in those days would have been pretty much limited to the Old Testament
since the New Testament's canon had not yet been compiled. The Old Testament is
very important because it is impossible for believers to obtain a full understanding
of The Lord's mission and purpose without a comprehensive knowledge of the Old
Testament.

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was
yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of
Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then opened he
their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." (Luke 24:44-45)

The Old Testament is also very useful for other purposes too.

"The holy scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man
of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2Tim 3:15
17)

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that
through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have
hope." (Rom 15:4)
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