Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul ’s Instruction to Titus

standard interpretation that “overseer” is an interchangeable term for elder, and that there is no change of subject between verses 6 and 7. The term overseer stresses function more than honor, and in this case is better suited to the image of the household manager than the term elder. The singular form “overseer” can be explained as a generic singular just as is the case in 1 Timothy 322. Paul has already switched from the plural “elders” in verse 5 to the singular “any man” [any elder] in verse 6, so we should not be surprised by his use of the singu lar “overseer,” which agrees with the singular “any man” in verse 6 and focuses the reader’s attention on the individual character of the overseer. An overseer must be above reproach because he is “God’s stew ard” (oikonomos). The Greek word oikonomos means house man ager (oikos is the Greek word for “house” or “household”). Thus a steward is a manager, administrator, or trustee of someone else’s household, property, or business (Luke 12:42; 16:1-8: Gal. 422). A steward acts on behalf of another’s interests or possessions. He is accountable and responsible to another for what is entrusted to his care. “Steward” is an appropriate description for an elder. Since the local church is called the household of God (1 Tim. 3215), an elder who manages it can be rightfully called a steward. Paul’s point in using the household steward imagery is simple and profound: since an elder is God’s household steward, he must be morally and spiritually above reproach. E.F. Scott succinctly expresses Paul’s logic: “In an ordinary household the most trusty servant was chosen as steward, and the same rule must obtain in the household of God.”6 We should also note that Paul’s emphasis is on God as the steward’s Master and owner. The steward is God’s household manager, not the church’s. Thus the household belongs to God, not to the elders. God demands that those to whom His precious children are entrusted be morally and spiritually fit. He will not have unfit, untrustworthy stew ards caring for His children and the truth of the gospel. After masterfully demonstrating why an elder must be above re proach in verse 7a, Paul continues his list of qualifications in verse 7b, where he enumerates five sinful vices. When any one of these vices controls a person’s life, it renders that person “reproachful” and dis qualifies him from being a steward of God’s household:

231