Day 17 - I Timothy 3:5-7

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

More Characteristics of Biblical Leadership

1 Timothy 3:5-7

⁵For if a man does not know who to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God. ⁶Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ⁷Moreover, he must have a good report testimony toward them that are without, lest he fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.

M

uch leadership in the Church is carried out from position, power, office, and title. Biblical leadership, however, is carried out from character and the call of God. Designations of leadership in the New Testament, such as episcopas, (bishop) are rooted in function and responsibility, not in status and power. Henri Nouwen got it right when he said, "Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy intimate relationship and have opted for power and control instead." Augustine, often considered the greatest of the church fathers, pointed out that the etymology of episcopas (bishop) refers to responsibility and not to authority. “Therefore,” says Augustine, “He who loves to govern rather than to do good is no bishop.”

God Has Not Banned Women from Leadership

Paul presents additional qualities for those who would have oversight in the Church. The role of oversight is obviously not limited to men, for Paul uses generic language throughout the discussion. For example, the word "man" is not in the Greek in either verse 1 or verse 5. In both places, “man” is a translation of the Greek pronoun tis, which literally means “anyone.” The NIV translators got it right this time! (see yesterday’ post) Also of interest is the fact that the Greek word for “rule” in verse 5, prostenai, is used of a woman in Rom. 16:1-2, where it is translated as “helper” in the NKJV.

The fact that Paul, in verse 2, says the episcopas  (bishop) must be the husband of one wife was not an exclusion of women. Since there are not separate words in Greek for man-husband and woman-wife, this verse could also read that the bishop must be a man of one woman. I suggest that there is a cultural element here for in the Greco-Roman world of the 1^st century it was culturally acceptable for a husband to have sexual affairs and keep mistresses; but it was not acceptable for a wife to to do the same. It was, therefore, necessary for Paul to include this one criterion that related particularly to men, that they be, literally, “a one woman man,’ or “the husband of one wife.”

The Home, a Proving Ground for Leadership

Paul presents the home as a proving ground for ministry. Marriage and the home constitute the most intense relationships we know and experience. If our faith works at home, it will work anywhere. If we can walk in love and peace at home, we can walk in love and peace in any situation. This doesn’t mean that a leader’s marriage and home have to be perfect, but that there must be an obvious integrity and loyalty in these most important relationships. This is in line with v. 2, where Paul says the episcopas must be the husband of one wife. Paul’s point is that, if a leader is not trustworthy in the marriage relationship, it is questionable whether or not he or she can be trusted in other relationships.

We Must Lie Low at the Feet of Jesus

In v. 6, Paul says that the episcopas (bishop) should not be a novice. A novice is a person who is new to the faith. Much damage has been done in the body of Christ by new believers being thrust into the spotlight simply because they were a celebrity, i.e., a famous athlete or entertainer. Paul says that a novice is liable to become proud and then fall into the same condemnation as the devil. This is probably a reference to Isaiah 14:12-15 where Lucifer was cast down from heaven because of pride. Gordon Lindsay, one of the most prominent leaders in the healing revivals of the 1940s-50s, observed several well-known healing evangelists fall because of pride. Based on his observations, he declared, "As one rises higher and higher in spiritual blessing and power, he must ever seek to become lower and lower and lower and lower." Leaders must avoid pride and continually lie low at the feet of Jesus.

Reflection & Prayer

Oh Lord, I pray that you will raise up a new generation of leaders in Your Church—men and women who are not looking for personal advantage but are committed to serving You and helping your people grow into Your likeness. I pray this in Jesus’ name! Amen!