Give careful attention. If 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 are not exact overlays, would this not at least suggest that effective congregational leadership in Ephesus and Crete faced different challenges? Consider the two listings (NASV).
1 Timothy 3:1-7 |
Titus 1:5-9 |
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. | For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. |
Parallel qualities (where both reflect an identical quality)
Above reproach
One wife
Sound parental influence
Hospitable
Not an alcoholic
Not pugnacious
Similar qualities (not an exact emphasis, but areas of similar concern)
Temperate (1 Timothy); sensible (Titus)Qualities that reflect a difference in emphasis
Prudent (1 Timothy); self-controlled (Titus)
Able to teach (1 Timothy); exhorts in healthy teaching and refutes contradictions (Titus)
Not contentious (1 Timothy); not quick-tempered (Titus)
Does not love money (1 Timothy); not fond of sordid gain (Titus)
- Timothy:
- Respectable (conducts himself in good taste; not offensive to others)
Gentle- Not a new convert
- Has a good reputation in the community
- Titus:
- God’s steward
- Not self-willed
- Loves good
- Just (upright)
- Devout (holy)
The person’s faith in Jesus Christ as God’s resurrected son (does a congregation dare vest leadership in a person who does not have and demonstrate this faith?),Are the elder/overseer profiles in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 helpful and valuable? Certainly! Are these profiles “all-inclusive,” considering all relevant information for a congregational leader? No! Can a person “fit” those two profiles and not provide spiritual guidance to individuals? That question is deserving of serious reflection.
The person’s love for Jesus Christ and his people (does a congregation dare give a man leadership when such love is not clear?),
The person’s sense of mercy and justice (does a congregation dare grant leadership to someone who does not demonstrate a good balance between godly mercy and justice?),
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23), and
The Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-8).