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TITLE:  Negative Qualifications for Elders
TEXT:  1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9
PROPOSITION:  Most qualifications are measured as a relative, not absolute
QUESTION:  What?
KEY WORD:  Qualifications
SCRIPTURE READING:  1 Timothy 3:1-7 

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Today we begin a discussion of the Biblical qualifications for the office of Elder
  2. Some of the qualifications are absolute (yes or no)
  3. Most of them are relative (we are looking for high rather than low)
  4. Most can be rated on a scale of 1 to 10.
  5. This morning – the 8 negative qualifications in Timothy and Titus
  6. Next week – the 16 positive qualifications in Timothy and Titus

  

Term

Meaning

Question

 

Negative Qualifications

A “No” answer qualifies him.

A “Yes” answer disqualifies him.

Not a drunkard

Not given to, controlled by, under the influence of

Are his mind and body out of balance?

Not contentious

Striker, ready with a blow, a bruiser

Is he constantly looking for a fight?

Not greedy of ill gain

Seeking gain through dishonorable means

Does he get his money dishonestly?

Not quarrelsome

A wrangler, opposite of quiet, calm and peaceable

Does he disagree loudly with great emotion?

Not covetous

Lover of money, fixed on gain

Is money more important than anything else?

Not a novice

Newly planted, recent convert, just beginning

Does he lack spiritual maturity?

Not self-willed

Please self, headstrong, obstinate, pigheaded, arrogant

Does he always want to have his way?

Not soon angry

Incensed at slight provocation, not easily irritated or provoked

Do little things become big irritations to him?


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