After a brief statement about the place of women in the church, Paul returns to his general theme of church government and order. Here he sets out the clearest statement in the New Testament on the qualifications of elders (or overseers) and deacons. It is obvious that if a church is to know blessing, its leaders must be above reproach. Even today these principles hold good and need to be better known than what they are. The first qualification is the leader must be above reproach, having a blameless reputation. Everyone will recognise this as being of utmost importance. If there is sin in a man's life, if there is wrong behaviour how could he ever lead a church into blessing? Needless to say his marriage relationship must be all that could be desired. There are a number of other very interesting qualifications which Paul lists. A leader needs to be well in control of his words and his temper! Hospitable, a good teacher, not a new convert and did you notice - well respected outside the church. There are men like that in our churches and we should honour them for it. Deacons must have the same high standard and their wives must be "trustworthy." A Christian husband loves to share his thoughts with his wife but she must keep those thoughts and comments to herself and not spread them around the church and elsewhere. If he or she does, it can be devastating to the church. It is not always easy to find men of such high standards, especially in smaller churches where there may be only a few members. But it is better to struggle along with fewer officers than to put people in simply because they are the only ones available. There is a beautifully encouraging promise in verse 13. There are men (and women too) who have served faithfully in our churches year after year without much human recognition. But God has seen everything they have ever done for Him. First it can strengthen their faith and at Christ's judgment seat they will be rewarded and praised in front of the whole united church of Christ. What a promise, what a hope, what joy that will be. Keep serving. God sees and knows it all. |
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