The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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7. “Able to teach” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9)—Aptitude for teaching by his lips and life. He must
be able to communicate the truth of God to others and “to exhort in sound doctrine” in a nonargumentative
way (II Tim. 2:24-26).
8. “Not given to much wine” (I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)—Sober. He does not over-indulge in
wine and other pleasures—He is not addicted to wine and other pleasures.
9. “Not violent but gentle” (I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)—Not contentious, not looking for a fight.
A leader must not be a “striker” or a person who uses physical violence, but one who is
characterized by forbearance and tenderness. He doesn’t use force to get his way.
Charles Spurgeon told his students, “Don’t go about the world with your fist doubled up for
fighting, carrying a theological revolver in the leg of your trousers.”
10. “Not quarrelsome” (I Tim. 3:3)—Not contentious by constantly struggling, competing
and selfishly arguing against others. Leaders must be peacemakers, not troublemakers. This does
not mean they must compromise their convictions, but that they must “disagree without being
disagreeable.” Short tempers do not make for long ministries.
11. “Not a lover of money” (I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; I Pet. 5:2)—Free from the love of money.
He is not stingy with his material blessings. Covetousness can also apply to popularity, a large
ministry that makes one famous, position, etc.
12. “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper
respect” (I Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6)—He is to care for his own children. Although charity must go
beyond the home, it must begin in the home. A spiritual leader, if married with a family, must be
recognized and respected as the leader of the household. Paul adds, “If anyone does not know
how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (I Tim. 3:5).
13. “Not a recent covert” or “novice” (I Tim. 3:6)—Not one who is a new Christian and a babe
in Christ. The word literally means “one newly planted.” He must be mature and obviously one
who has been a Christian for a period of time--at least long enough to demonstrate the reality of
his conversion and the depth of his spirituality. Paul makes the point that his is important for
otherwise “he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil” (I Tim. 3:6).
14. “Good reputation with outsiders” (I Tim. 3:7)—Unbelievers must also respect his character
and integrity. He must have a good reputation among non-Christians with whom he does
business (Col 4:5; I Thess. 4:12).