d e v e l o p i n g l e a d e r s h i p

St r e t c h Yo u r s e l f ! (1 Ti m o t h y 3:1–7)

God has stipulated that men are to take the reflects the difference with this translation: “If lead in His church. Men are to be the elders and any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a the deacons; men are to lead in the pubic wor- fine work he desires to do” (emphasis mine). The ship services. I am not sure why God set it up NIV has “If anyone sets his heart on being an over- this way. I am confident that it is not because seer, he desires a noble task” (emphasis mine). men are smarter than women or have more abil- The second word translated “desire”2 in the ity. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, in God’s KJV is the usual word for “desire.” It can be spiritual arrangement, men are to be the leaders. used in a good sense (“want”) or a bad sense If we do not have Christian men preparing them- (“lust”). Here, it is used in a good sense. Our selves to lead, the Lord’s church is in trouble. emphasis will be on the first word translated One day, in a bookstore, I came across a book “desire” in the KJV, “aspires to” in the NASB, for Christian men by Gene A. Getz, titled The and “sets his heart on” in the NIV. All these Measure of a Man.1 At first, I was excited. Many terms are translated from a Greek word3 which books are available for women on how to be means “to extend, stretch out.”4 a Christian wife and mother, but it is difficult Most of us know what it means “to extend” to find good books on how to be a Christian and “stretch out.” Were you ever at a family husband and father. Then, when I scanned the reunion when the house was packed with rela- contents, I was disappointed. The chapters were tives? When meal time came, all of you sat based on 1 Timothy 3:1–7. I thought, “Doesn’t down at a table with the food everyone had the author know that those verses contain the brought. During that meal, at least one person qualifications for elders?” However, the more I had the following experience. The potatoes have thought about it, the more I have become were way over on the other side of the table, convinced that this passage does give God’s so he politely said, “Pass the potatoes, please.” meas­ure of a man. In this lesson we want to look Nothing happened. Everyone was talking and at the wording of 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and encourage laughing as they began eating. “Pass the po- men to develop the characteristics described. tatoes, please!” Still nothing. Finally, he gave My challenge will center on the terminology up trying to be polite and reached far across in verse 1. Many of us are familiar with the KJV the table, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g himself to reach rendering of that verse: “This is a true saying, the bowl. That is the idea behind the word on If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth which we are focusing. a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1; emphasis mine). I should also mention that the word is in the The KJV uses the English word “desire” (or “desireth”) twice in that verse, but in the Greek 2The KJV uses the Old English “desireth.” text, two different words are used. The NASB 3While this word, orego, was in common use in Paul’s day, this is one of the few times it is found in the New Testament. 1Gene A. Getz, The Measure of a Man (Ventura, Calif.: 4The Analytical Greek Lexicon (London: Samuel Bagster Regal Books, 1974). & Sons, Ltd., 1971), 291.

1 middle voice in the Greek. Most of us are un- Some Christians are satisfied to do the familiar with the middle voice. In the English bare minimum. Others reach a certain level of language, we have only the active voice (you do spiritual growth and are content to stay at that something) and the passive voice (something is level. The designation “elder” means “older”; done to you), but the Greek language has a third however, the emphasis is not simply on being voice: the middle voice. In the middle voice, older physically, but in becoming more mature you do something to yourself. Therefore, regard- in Christ. Let us all resolve “to grow up in all ing our featured word, the lexicon says that in aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” the middle voice, it means “to stretch one’s self (Ephesians 4:15). out, to reach forward to.”5 A literal translation of 1 Timothy 3:1 might read something like this: STRETCH YOURSELF “If any man stretches himself out to the office of TO BE more GODLY overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” Leadership is as dependent upon character All around us, we see individuals who are as it is upon qualifications. This is true of lead- s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g themselves to become the best ership in general. Examples could be given of they can be in various sports. We see people individuals who met the legal qualifications s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g themselves to achieve success for political offices but who, because of un- in the business world. How few are stretching godly lives, showed themselves unfit to hold themselves spiritually! The challenge of this those offices. This principle is even more true lesson is to s-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself to be all you regarding spiritual leaders. What a shameful can be as a Christian, to be the best child of spectacle it is when a self-proclaimed spiritual God you can be.6 My remarks will be primarily leader has his immoral life exposed! directed to my brothers in Christ, but those of The necessity of being godly men is found you who are sisters in the Lord will find much several times in our text. In verse 2 we read that you can apply to yourselves. these words: “must be above reproach.” This STRETCH YOURSELF does not mean “perfect,” but it does mean that TO GROW SPIRITUALLY an individual is trying his best to live a God- pleasing life. These words relate to his reputa- In verse 6 we read that an elder is not to be tion within the church. Then verse 7 says that “a new convert.” “New convert” is translated “he must have a good reputation with those from the word from which we get “neophyte,” outside the church,” in the community. which means “new plant.”7 None of us should The terms in verses 2 and 7 do not refer sim- be satisfied to stay “new plants”; we need to ply to outward appearance, but to inward quali- grow. The writer of Hebrews reprimanded his ties that are reflected outwardly. In the parallel readers with these words: passage in Titus 1, we have words like these in For though by this time you ought to be teach- verse 8: “good,” “just,” and “devout.” ers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and STRETCH YOURSELF not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word TO LEARN SELF-DISCIPLINE of right­eousness, for he is an infant. But solid One of the hardest things for any of us to food is for the mature, who because of practice learn is self-discipline. The wise man wrote, “He have their senses trained to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:12–14). who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who cap- tures a city” (Proverbs 16:32). Even the apostle 5 Ibid. Paul struggled with this. He said, “I discipline 6Even if a Christian man becomes all he can be, this does not guarantee that he will be qualified to become an my body and make it my slave, so that, after elder, but it does guarantee that he will make the greatest I have preached to others, I myself will not be contribution to the Lord’s cause of which he is capable. disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). 7Neophyte combines neo (“new”) and phuo (which can refer to a growing plant). (The Analytical Greek Lexicon, First Timothy 3:2 notes that an elder must be 276, 431.) “temperate.” Greek scholar J. W. Roberts wrote,

2 “The original word means a non-drinker, a com- not quick-tempered (see Titus 1:7). We must plete abstainer even from the mild use of wine. contend for the truth (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy The secondary meaning is that of soberness or 4:7; Jude 3; 1 Thessalonians 2:2), but we are not sanity of mind.”8 The word refers to one who has to be contentious individuals. Some Christians learned self-discipline in all areas of his life. cause trouble wherever they go. They sow strife; Next, this verse says that an elder must be they sow suspicion. We are not to be like that. “prudent.” The KJV has “sober,” and the NIV Instead of being pugnacious and conten- has “self-controlled.” This does not mean that tious, we are to be “gentle.” The word rendered an elder can never laugh, smile, or have a good “gentle” in this verse is difficult to translate. My time; it does mean that he is a sensible person. interlinear Bible has “forbearing,”11 that is, able Then this verse says that an elder is to be to overlook small faults. Then this verse says “respectable” (“of good behaviour”; KJV). The that we are to be “peaceable,” always promot- Greek word behind these translations is an ing and seeking peace with others. interesting word. It is from kosmos, the word The attribute we are discussing is not just for “world” or “universe,” and basically means a negative quality (suggesting that we should “well-ordered”9 or arranged. This refers to a not fight), but a positive one as well. We need person whose life has a basic order to it—in to learn to love people. In the Lord’s church, contrast to one who, for example, is always one cannot lead unless he is able to establish behind on paying what he owes. positive relationships with others. Notice this Let us s-t-r-e-t-c-h ourselves to learn to be qualification in verse 2: “hospitable.” The Greek temperate, prudent, and respectable. Let us word translated “hospitable” literally means learn self-discipline! “lover of strangers.”12 In Paul’s day, inns were notoriously expensive and often filthy. In a STRETCH YOURSELF play from that day, one character asked another, TO RELATE well TO PEOPLE “Where will you stay?” The second replied, The next challenge is to stretch yourself to “Where the fleas are the fewest.”13 Inns were learn how to relate well to people. One of the also often unsafe, especially for Christians. great needs in society is to learn how to get along There was a need for Christians to open their with other people. Although the technology for doors to their brothers and sisters who were communication continues to improve, people traveling. seem to get worse at communicating. Underline the word “stranger” in your mind. Verse 3 of our text highlights the need to get We have a tendency to want to be with people along with others. For instance, an elder is not to we know, the crowd with whom we feel com- be “pugnacious.” The CJB has “He must not . . . fortable. A leader in the church must be friendly get into fights.” Some men think they need to to all. He needs to be an individual who makes settle arguments with their fists. (This may give visitors feel welcome, a person who puts forth us some insight regarding the lives of certain a special effort to encourage new members. In men before they became Christians.) I have seen short, a leader needs to be one who likes people. a fistfight on the floor of the Oklahoma Senate. The challenge to all of us is to stretch ourselves I have seen a fistfight at a wedding rehearsal. I to learn to love people and get along with others. have never seen a fistfight in an elders’ meeting or a men’s business meeting, but I have seen STRETCH YOURSELF tempers flare. An elder is not to be like that; TO ADJUST YOUR PRIORITIES no Christian man is to be like that. The next challenge is to get our priorities Near the end of this verse, the KJV has “not straight. In the media, advertisers are continu- a brawler.”10 The word means “not contentious,” 11Alfred Marshall, The Interlinear Greek-English New 8J. W. Roberts, Letters to Timothy, The Living Word Testament, 2d ed. (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons, Ltd., series (Austin, Tex.: R. B. Sweet Co., 1964), 28. 1958), 824. 9The Analytical Greek Lexicon, 238. 12Philoxenia is a compound word from phileo [“love”] 10The Greek text used by the KJV translators has an plus xenos [“stranger”]. (Vine, 312.) additional word here which they rendered “not a brawler.” 13Aristophanes The Frogs.

3 ally telling us about things and saying, “These STRETCH YOURSELF 14 are what is important in life.” We need men TO BE A Better FAMILY MAN (and women) who have grown past that point In the background lesson, I noted that the of view, who have matured spiritually. only qualifications for an elder that are not We need men who do not love money, but required of every Christian are (1) not to be a who rather love the church. On the one hand, new convert and (2) to be a married man with 15 an elder should not be “covetous” (v. 3). This believing children. Most of you have been means “not greedy.” Material things are not Christians for several years, and many of you overly important to him. On the other hand, are married or will be some day. Therefore, my the church is important to him. Notice these final exhortation applies to most, if not all, of words in verse 5: “Take care of the church of our male members: Stretch yourself to become God.” “Take care of” is the phrase used when a good family man. We just talked about adjust- the Good Samaritan brought the injured man ing our priorities. For a married Christian man, to the inn and told the innkeeper, “Take care few priorities are more important than being a of him; and whatever more you spend, when I good husband and father. return I will repay you” (Luke 10:35). The words A number of images are used in the New refer to supplying whatever is needed. Taking Testament to depict the church—such as the care of the church—providing what it needs—is kingdom, the body, a vineyard, a flock, and the God’s purpose regarding leadership. army of God. However, no term used is more We need men who are willing and ready to meaningful than the word “family.” Paul told work for the Lord. Paul said that “it is a fine Timothy that he was giving him the qualifica- work he desires to do” (v. 1). It is not a fine tions for elders so that he would “know how position that he desires to hold, but a fine work one ought to conduct himself in the household he desires to do. “Work” is from erge, the word of God” (1 Timothy 3:15; emphasis mine; see from which we get the English term “energy.” Galatians 6:10). In this context, the word trans- We need individuals who are expending energy lated “household” refers to family (compare in the service of God. v. 4). Regarding the eldership, Paul said that One important way to show that we love the if one is going to lead in the Lord’s family, he church and are willing to work for the Lord is must first learn to lead in his home.16 by volunteering to teach. Paul said that an elder Our text emphasizes several lessons we need needs to be “able to teach.” I believe this implies to learn as husbands and fathers. For instance, we not only a basic ability, but also a willingness need to learn our responsibility to the home. This to teach and even a willingness to learn how to responsibility is suggested in the word trans- teach. Hebrews 5:12 indicates that we all need lated “manage” (or “manages”) in verses 4 and to be teachers: “By this time [considering how 5:17 “He must be one who manages his own house- long you have been Christians] you ought to be hold well . . . (but if a man does not know how teachers.” We should note, however, that the to manage his own household, how will he take qualification “able to teach” does not necessar- care of the church of God?)” (emphasis mine). ily refer to public teaching. Every father needs “Manage” is from a compound Greek word that to teach his children, and all of us need to share means “to stand before.”18 Who “stood” the man our faith with others in some way. If you are a before the family as its leader? God (Ephesians male member of the church, I challenge you to 5:23; 6:4). The question is, Have we accepted the s-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself to learn to teach, so you responsibility that God imposed on us? will be “able to teach.”

16This relates to the principle that if one is faithful 14In your society, what is the source of pressure to in lesser responsibilities, he will be promoted to greater have “a better this” or “more of that”? Perhaps it comes responsibilities (see Matthew 25:21, 23). from family members or next-door neighbors. 17The KJV has “ruleth” and “rule.” “Rule” can mean 15The text used by the KJV translators has two ad- “to be the master over,” but the Greek word found here ditional words that mean “not greedy of base [dishonest] does not mean that. gain.” The KJV translates these words as “not greedy of 18Proistemi combines pros (“before”) and histemi (“to filthy lucre.” stand”). (Vine, 540.)

4 Have we accepted our responsibility to our regarding the qualification of being “the hus- wives? Verse 2 says that an elder is to be “the band of one wife.” Christ is the Husband of husband of one wife.” This requires an elder to one wife, the church—and He shows us what have a wife and to have only one, but I believe a husband should be. In the end, spiritual the words encompass more than that. The NEB growth is about becoming like Jesus. I remind has “Our leader . . . must be . . . faithful to his one you of the challenge in Ephesians 4:15: “We are wife.” Ephesians 5 tells what is involved in be- to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the ing the husband of a wife: “Husbands, love your head, even Christ.” wives, just as Christ also loved the church and Let us pray: gave Himself up for her” (v. 25; emphasis mine). Our Father in heaven, I come to You at this Have we accepted our responsibility to our time on behalf of the men and boys who are children? Many of us are familiar with the chal- present. We do not know why You said that lenge to fathers in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do men are to be the leaders in Your spiritual kingdom, but we accept that challenge and not provoke your children to anger, but bring that responsibility. We know we cannot meet them up in the discipline and instruction of the the challenge and fulfill the responsibility Lord.” That is a great challenge, but the chal- without Your help. We are aware of our own inadequacies and shortcomings, so help us, lenge of our text is perhaps even greater: “keep- Lord. Thank You for giving us 1 Timothy 3 ing his children under control with all dignity” and other passages to help us understand what (1 Timothy 3:4b). The RSV says that he must keep we should be. Now help us to grow; help us to mature. Direct us, strengthen us, and en- “his children submissive and respectful in every courage us. Help us become what we ought way.” Other translations and paraphrases use to be so that we can serve You as we should. terms which emphasize that the children must Forgive us of our sins in the past, and be with be under control and well-behaved (see the CEV; us in the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Phillips; LB). What a challenge this is! Fathers, NOTES take time for your children. Take time to learn If you end this sermon with an invitation how to be a good father. to come to Christ, note that the church cannot Another lesson to learn as husbands and use a person until he or she is God’s child, is fathers is the right way to exert our God-given born of the water and the Spirit (John 3:5), and authority in the home. The word that the KJV is baptized as a penitent believer (Acts 2:38). translates as “rule” in verses 4 and 5, and the Also, note that those who are unfaithful to the NASB translates as “manages,” has to do with Lord cannot be used by Him as He intends. relationships. Others follow our leadership be- Encourage them to be restored (Galatians 6:1; cause of who we are­—because we have a good Acts 8:22; James 5:16). David Roper relationship with them.19 Let all of us who are husbands and fathers s-t-r-e-t-c-h ourselves to be the kind of husbands Ve r s i o n s o f t h e Bi b l e and fathers we should be. As Paul said, if we Us e d in Th i s St u d y cannot take care of our households, how can we AB — Amplified Bible hope to help take care of the household of God? CEV — Contemporary English Version CJB — Complete Jewish Bible CONCLUSION KJV — King James Version Our lesson can be summarized like this: LB — Living Bible paraphrase Stretch yourself to be more like Christ every day. NASB — New American Standard Bible Christian virtues are epitomized in Jesus, even NEB — New English Bible NIV — New International Version 19The leadership style of husbands and their relation- NLT — New Living Translation ships with their wives and children will vary somewhat Phillips — The New Testament in Modern from society to society. Neither fathers nor elders should English by J. B. Phillips be despots (see 1 Peter 5:3), demanding unthinking obedi- RSV — Revised Standard Version ence from those under their leadership with no concern for their desires. You can expand this paragraph and TEV — Today’s English Version paraphrase apply it to the situation where you live. ©Copyright, 2007, 2010 by Truth for Today. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 5