(1) Overview
v.1b “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.”
By repeating 2 words (aspires, desires) with a similar meaning, Paul put up the office of overseer in parallel with good work.
By repeating 2 words (aspires, desires) with a similar meaning, Paul put up the office of overseer in parallel with good work.
Note the transition word in the beginning of v.2,
3:2a The overseer then must be above reproach
If the office is such a good work, then the person who is fulfilling this work must be a good person, to be exact, this person must be above reproach.
If the office is such a good work, then the person who is fulfilling this work must be a good person, to be exact, this person must be above reproach.
Therefore, in v.2b-5, Paul listed all the different aspects that this person must be above reproach. Most of the requirements are related to the character rather than the qualification to do the job. His personality is more important than his ability.
However, we can understand what an overseer does from the only 3 descriptions of his job: hospitable, an able teacher v.2, and manage/care for the church v.5. He must be a giver in order to be hospitable. He needed to be gifted by God in order to be an able teacher. At last he has to demonstrate his skill of management before he can be placed in this job (v.4-5).
Reflection: Are we focusing too much on the ability of a person or the character of a person in hiring a worker? in training your children? in choosing the leader of church? Or even in seeing ourselves?
(2) Repeated words
3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.3:7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
(BKC) Paul’s thought here seems to be that church leaders, as representatives of the congregation, are constantly susceptible to the snares of the devil (cf. 2 Tim. 2:26). Satan likes nothing better than to disgrace God’s work and God’s people by trapping church leaders in sin before a watching world. It is important therefore that overseers achieve and maintain a good reputation before unbelievers.
Reflection: Do our lives bring disgrace to God and God's people? When our people find out that you are Christians are they surprised?
In this passage regarding the overseer, Paul mentioned twice the devil. If we look back in the book of 1 Timothy, the last the devil was mentioned was in 1:20
1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Hymenaeus and Alexander were mentioned when Paul was discussing the issue of false teachers (1:7). Perhaps, this passage was targeted at people like Hymenaeus and Alexander. They wanted to be the leaders/overseers, but they were not qualified. Therefore, the purpose of v.1-6 was to screen these kinds of people out.
Reflection: The devil wanted to be the most high and therefore it was expelled from the presence of God. When someone wants to be the leader of the church they are tempted to be the most high. How do we do when we face this temptation?
(3) Summary: From ch 1-2, we see that the Gospel is so important and should be the center of our lives. Then the office of leading others to do so must be the right person.
Audrey
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