STUDIES IN I TIMOTHY- PART 10

                    December 31, 2006

 

Intro: Ch.3:1-7- character requirements for bishop (pastor)

 

I. Qualities of excellence- high ground of moral competence

1) Blameless- neg.word- “not to be taken hold of”

2) Hus.of 1 wife- eliminates polygamy/celibacy

   3) temperate- free from excess, drunkenness, confusion

       uses self-control

   4) sober-minded- of sound mind,  clear-thinking

   5) of good behavior- orderly, respectable;  focused

6) hospitable—lover of outsiders

7) able to teach- skilled in and prone to give instruction

II. List of excluded behaviors- 3:3- all pre-fixed “neg.”

1) not given to wine- literally- doesn’t sit at wine

2) not violent- does not settle arguments with fists

3) not greed for $$-

4) gentle- conciliatory, offering clemency, modest

5) not quarrelsome- does not stir dispute, arguments

6) not covetous- not greedy nor miserly

III. Stipulation of experience- 3:4-6

1) Rules his own house (family)- leader-

2) not a novice- must be experienced (presbyteros)

IV. Evidence from eternal reputation- 3:7

 

V. Figures of the pastorate- see I Cor.9:7-10

1) General directing campaign- pastor must assume

responsibility for others-

2) Vineyard keeper- pastor must understand season

of growth and dormancy

3) Shepherd- pastor must know his sheep & carefully

attend to their needs

4) Ox- (vs.9)-pastor must shoulder great burdens and be

conscious of great demands

5) Farmer- (vs.10)- pastor must realize harvesting

takes great labor as well as time.