The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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Other qualifications (in the case of elders—I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9):
1. “Above reproach” or “blameless”--I Tim 3:2; Titus 2:7)--The word literally means
“nothing to take hold upon.” The word is used of a position which is not open to attack, of a life
which is not open to censure. This means a Christian leader must be the kind of person against
whom no criticism can be made. There must not be any grounds for accusing such a person of
improper Christian behavior. A person of good character who has a good reputation.
2. “Husband of one wife” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1-6)—A leader’s home life is very important,
and especially his marriage. Not a bigamist. In a culture where men frequently cohabited with
more than one woman, Paul needed to make it very clear that an elder in the church was to be a
“one-wife man”--loyal to her and her alone. Therefore the interpretation that the elder could only
have been married once is unlikely in view of the rest of Scripture.
3. “Temperate” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)—Self-controlled. Later Paul emphasizes this by saying
that we are to be “temperate in all things” (II Tim. 4:5). It means to “keep your head in all
situations” (New International Version). He must not be a man who is in bondage to himself and
to the desires of the flesh. He remains stable and steadfast and his thinking is clear, that is, “calm,
cool and collected.” He doesn’t lose perspective because of false security. “He is one in whose
heart Christ’s power reigns and on whose life Christ’s beauty shines.” 20
4. “Prudent” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)—Sensible, sober, wise and balanced in judgment. He
must have a serious attitude and be in earnest about his work. He must not be given to quick and
superficial decisions based on immature thinking. He is a humble man who has a proper view of
himself and is keenly aware of the fact that all that he has (gifts, ability, possessions) are from
God. Without Him, he is nothing at all. He also then has a proper view of the grace of God as he
realizes that he was lost without Christ and that all his human abilities and achievements were
useless in winning any favor with God.
5. “Respectable” (I Tim. 3:2)—Orderly life. He must demonstrate good, proper or decent
behavior. He is a person who lives in such a way that his life-style adorns the teachings of the
Bible. He is to be a Christian gentleman in all areas of his life.
6. “Hospitable” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)—Open heart and open home. The word means
literally “loving the stranger.” This was an important ministry in the early church when traveling
believers would need places to stay (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; III Jn. 5-8). A leader must be
unselfish and willing to share his blessings with others. His home life and personal life must be
characterized by “hospitality.”