Elder Qualifications
These are not suggestions or ideals. A man must meet all of these qualifications.
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- Desires to be an Elder (1 Tim 3:1) — he must want to serve in this office.
- Blameless and Above Reproach (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6) — not perfect since there would be no elders ever, but living in a way that no reproach or blame rests on them.
- Husband of One Wife (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6) — he must be a married man.
- Temperate (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — self-controlled in all aspects of life they are the same man wherever they are.
- Sober-Minded (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — able to clearly make decisions, mature.
- Orderly (1 Tim 3:2) — well behaved and reliable.
- Hospitable (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8) — courteous, friendly, kind, welcoming.
- Able to Teach (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9) — able to teach the church and hold to the Word of God.
- Not Given to Wine (1 Tim 3:3)
- Not Violent (1 Tim 3:3)
- Not Greedy or a Lover of Money (1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7) — generous with sound judgement. Able to manage finances for the work of God.
- Gentle (1 Tim 3:3) — courteous, peaceful, not harsh or turbulent or coarse or ride.
- Not Quarrelsome (1 Tim 3:3) — not argumentative but able to manage conflict peacefully.
- Not Covetous
- Rule His House Well (1 Tim 3:5-6) — children living faithful lives in submission.Not a New Christian — new to the faith or new to the church (how can they shepherd if they know not the sheep?).
- Good Reputation among Non-Christians (1 Tim 3:7)
- Faithful Children (Titus 1:6) — children old enough to be Christians should be.
- Not Quick Tempered (Titus 1:7)
- Lover of Good (Titus 1:8)
- Holy (Titus 1:8)
- Sound in the Faith (Titus 1:9)
- Wife Reverent, Not A Gosspier, Temperate, Faithful (1 Tim 3:11) — the wife of a man can disqualify him.