Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul is Instruction to Titus

Hudson Taylor, for example, confessed his own struggle with anger: “My greatest temptation is to lose my temper over the slackness and inefficiency so disappointing in those on whom I depended. It is no use to lose my temper—only kindness. But oh, it is such a trial.”7 The issue is whether or not an individual who aspires to pastoral eldership recognizes and controls his anger. If he isn’t controlled, he’s a powder keg ready to go off in the midst of the next problem.

ADDICTED TO WINE AND PUGNACIOUS: Both of these qualifi cations are covered in 1 Timothy 3:3.

FOND OF SORDID GAIN: The Greek word, aischrokerde’s, used here is very similar in meaning to aphilargyros (“free from the love of money”) used in 1 Timothy 323. See comments on 1 Timothy 323. After listing five vices, Paul next lists seven virtues. Verse 8 begins with “but,” which contrasts the five vices of verse 7 with the seven virtues of verses 8 and 9. God requires His stewards to be character ized by these virtues. LOVING WHAT IS GOOD: Closely associated with hospitality, “lov ing what is good” is a positive virtue that is required of those who seek to help people and live as Christlike examples. The Greek word used here is philagathos, which one Greek lexicon defines as “one who willingly and with self-denial does good, or is kind.”8 William Hendriksen explains the word as “ready to do what is beneficial to others.”9 The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament states: “According to the interpretation of the early Church it relates to the unwearying activity of love.”'0 King David was a lover of goodness. He spared his enemy Saul, who had to reluctantly admit: “And you have declared today that you have done good to me, that the Lord delivered me into your hand and yet you did not kill me. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely?” (1 Sam. 24218,19a). David sought to show kindness to his deceased friend Jonathan, Saul’s son, by taking Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, into his own house (2 Sam. 9). Job’s friends had to admit that he was a lover of goodness: “Behold, you have admonished many, And you have strengthened weak hands. HOSPITABLE: See comments on 1 Timothy 3:2.

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