Qualifications of the Eldership and how they apply to the congregation Titus 1:6-9

“ 6 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. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant, or quick-tempered, or a drunkard, or violent, or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

“…the husband of one wife…”

Matthew 19:4-6 “ 4 He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said ? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Ephesians 5:22-23 “ 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself savior.”

Ephesians 5:33 “ 33 However, let each love his wife as himself, and let the wife see she respects her husband.”

“…children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination…”

Believers

Ephesians 6:4 “ 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Insubordination

Ephesians 6:1-3 “ 1 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 ‘Honour your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 ‘that is may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

“…must not be arrogant…”

John 15:5 “ 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Romans 11:18-21 “ 18 Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.”

James 4:10 “ 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

1 Peter 5:6 “ 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.”

“…or quick-tempered…”

Proverbs 14:17 “ 17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.”

Proverbs 14:29 “ 29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”

James 1:19-20 “ 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20 For the anger of a man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.”

“…drunkard…”

Ephesians 5:18 “ 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 5:11 “ 11 But now I am writing to you in my letter not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality, or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler – not even to eat with such a one.”

“…violent…”

Galatians 5:16-17,22-23 “ 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do… 22 But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no laws.”

Matthew 5:9 “ 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”

1 Peter 2:1 “ 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

“…not greedy for gain…”

1 Corinthians 6:10 “ 10 Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Hebrews 13:5 “ 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

“…but hospitable…”

Hebrews 13:2 “ 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Romans 12:13 “ 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

“…lover of good…”

Amos 5:15 “ 15 Hate evil and love good and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

Romans 12:9 “ 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

“…self-controlled…”

Galatians 5:22-23 “ 22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “ 7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

“…upright…”

Titus 2:12 “ 12 Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

“…holy…”

2 Timothy 2:21 “ 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the, ready for every good work.”

“…disciplined…”

1 Corinthians 9:27 “ 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

“...hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught…”

2 Thessalonians 2:15 “ 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

Galatians 5:1 “ 1 For freedom Christ has set us free: stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Ephesians 6:13 “ 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

“…give instruction in sound doctrine...”

Titus 2:1 “ 1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

Romans 15:14 “ 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.”

“…rebuke those that contradict it.”

Jude 1:3 “ 1 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”

Titus 1:6-9 “ 6 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. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant, or quick-tempered, or a drunkard, or violent, or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ 16 All scripture is breathed out for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 17 That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15 “ 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”