Two More Requirements for Bishops 1 Timothy 3:4

If the weight and seriousness of the “office of a bishop” was not considered by Timothy before Paul's writing, he knew it after this letter. Bishops were to be “blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler,” and “not covetous;”. As though those requirements were not enough, Paul adds two more in chapter three and verse four of his letter to Timothy where we read:

One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

The verse begins, “One that rules well his own house,...” Paul began, “One that rules” or “is set over, superintends, presides over, protects, guards, gives aid to, cares for and gives attention to” “well” which means “rightly, nobly, in honor, beautifully, finely and excellently” “his own” or “pertaining to one's self, one's own and belonging to one's self” “house” which refers to “all the persons forming one family or a household”. A bishop was to honorably preside over his family and those within his household.

The verse goes on to say, “...having his children in subjection with all gravity;” Paul continued, “having his children” or “possessing his offspring” “in subjection” which means “in obedience, submission and compliance” “with all gravity” or “the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity, honor and purity”. A bishop was to rule in such a manner over his children that they respected him in honor and purity.

While we think about these words from Paul, we can understand why the litmus test for being overseer in a church would be whether a man rules well in his own home. If he governs at home in a way that is not good, he will do the same in the church. We should remember that this does not mean that his home will be free from danger, spiritual attacks or unforeseen circumstances, but it does mean that the man who desires to be a bishop must rule well no matter what comes into his life. The key to understanding how anyone could become a “bishop” or “overseer or pastor” is to keep in mind that this man must rely fully upon Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to guide him in his life. Without their influence, this man would not rule well in his home or the church, and neither would we.

Next time Paul gives a reason why a bishop needs to “rule well his own house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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