Titus 1 Who can be an elder? Part 10

 

Titus 1:5-6

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you – if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.” ESV

Paul wrote to Titus to set up new leadership in the churches because the Apostles would not be around forever. The standards given for the elders in the church are high and we ought not to lower God’s standards. These standards are high because elders are entrusted with God’s work. While perfection is not possible, elders must still have a pattern of life so that people cannot bring charges of wrongdoing against them. Their speech and conduct, in fact their whole lives, must show they have good moral and spiritual character so that they can set a good example for others. It’s interesting that Paul starts the list of requirements with family life. A man who cannot spiritually and morally lead his own family does not qualify to be an elder.

English is not the original language of the Bible, in fact, a lot of the New Testament was written in Greek. The King James Version of the Bible is one of the most literal translations; our text originally says, “mias gynaikos aner”, which literally translates to “of one woman man” or “of one wife husband”. If we continue, we can see a difference in how the second half translates as well. The Greek says, “tekna echon pistos” meaning, “children having faithful”. Why do I mention all this? Well, it helps to understand what Paul is saying. To qualify for elder a man must be devoted to one woman. He must be faithful and pure and have absolute fidelity to his wife. But that’s not all; when we look for elders, we must look for men whose children are obedient and good because if he cannot keep his own house in order, how can he bring order to the house of the LORD? Children must be faithful to their parents and live above reproach. The way a man parents his children will show how he will behave as an overseer in the church.

The book of Titus is all about how we behave and conduct ourselves so an upright character must be evident in the elders of the church. Even if you’re not an elder, you should still strive to be a godly example for others. Be devoted to one spouse and raise your children to the glory and honor of God’s holy name. We ought to be different from the world and raise our children with order and discipline.

The LORD calls elders who, by their lives and speech, show a pattern of devotion to God. This must be evident in their relationship with their spouse and how they raise their children. To apply this in our own lives we can ask ourselves if we are being faithful in the task that God has given us. Where does God have you right now? Are you faithfully doing what God asks? God wants us to be faithful to Him and to the family He has given us. He wants us to trust and rely on Him and be a godly example to those around us.

1.        What are the first requirements our text sets for someone to be an elder?

2.        Why must an elder’s child be well behaved and not unruly?

3.        How can we apply this to our lives?

4.        What do we need in order to live this way, and how do we get it?

5.        Look up 1 Timothy 3:1-7. What does it say about the requirements of elders?

Dear Lord and heavenly Father, help me to be a hearer and doer of Your holy word. Help me to see the order you set forth for Your church and understand what it means for me. Thank-you for the being a constant and consistent God and help me to emulate this in my life. Just as You are a good Father, help me to be a good parent or influence over the sheep of Your flock. Help me to love my spouse as Christ loves His bride. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may be faithful in all that You have planned for me. Forgive me where I fall short, in Jesus’ name alone, Amen.

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