Qualifications of a Church Leader (1 Timothy 3-4)
- Elaine R Kelly
- Jun 9, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 20
The main idea of 1 Timothy is to encourage Timothy to recognize faith and godliness in others when selecting people to serve in ministry. He is to be an example of consistent faith and good conscience, to exercise his spiritual gifts, and to exhort believers to live in a way that credits the reputation of the community.
This is post 3 on the pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus, examining scholarship and showing these letters do not exclude women from being church leaders.
In this post on 1 Timothy 1, the writer says to stop exploiting others.
In 1 Timothy 2. the writer corrects false doctrine and comforts a woman afraid in childbirth
In this post on 1 Timothy 3-4, the writer discusses qualifications for church leadership
In my post on 1 Timothy 5-6 I discuss women and men compensated for church offices.
I discuss 2 Timothy here.
I examine Titus here.
1 Timothy 3: Church Leadership
The writer quotes a saying that if anyone longs to be a church overseer, it is a noble goal (1 Timothy 3:1). When "all humans" is translated as "men", pronouns matter.
A translation that adds "man" and "he" adds an idea that is not in the original Greek. For example, a less accurate translation would be "If any man desires to be a church overseer, he desires a noble task." Several English translations make this passage appear to exclusively address males, using ten or more male descriptions or pronouns. Women are only excluded from roles as priests, pastors, bishops, and overseers when we translate the Greek word [tis] meaning "all humans" or "anyone", as "men" or use a male pronoun. Marg Mowczko points out that there are no words in Greek indicating that only men can be overseers (1) or church leaders.
In my book The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says about a Woman's Role, flashcard 43 thrusts the Complementarian view that an overseer must be a man, while the Egalitarian defence is that an overseer must be faithful in marriage (if married).
At the top of the list of qualifications to be a church leader, Paul, or an imitator of Paul, says the overseer must be blameless, the husband of one wife. The original 'man of one woman', if taken literally, would mean no single or remarried men could be overseers, bishops, or elders. In ancient Rome, a widow who did not re-marry was called the ‘wife of one man’.
Realistically, 'man of one woman' means 'faithful in marriage'. This does not prohibit female overseers, just as it does not prohibit male overseers who are single or married for a second time. It means that if they are married, they should not be adulterers but be faithful in marriage.
The church leader must be able to manage their own household well (v. 4), which also does not exclude women. While most households had a male in charge, women were not excluded. There are several women in the Bible who are called heads of the house, including Lydia, Nympha, Phoebe, and Martha of Bethany. Paul tells women to be good household managers later (1 Timothy 5:14). Nijay Gupta, in Tell Her Story, reports that approximately 25% of households in the first-century Roman world were managed by a woman.
The church overseer should see that their children are obedient and respectful. This does not mean an overseer must have children, but if they do have children, their children should behave responsibly. Both the mother and the father are responsible for raising their children.
The list in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 is not exhaustive but advises leaders should be sober, modest, honest, hospitable, and good at teaching. They should not be violent, greedy, quarrelsome or domineering. The list applies to both male and female church leaders or overseers.
In my book, The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says about a Woman's Role, I show the Complementarian argument that deacons must be men and the Egalitarian view that deacons must be righteous.
The writer then says 'in the same way' or 'likewise' deacons must be honest, unselfish and faithful in marriage, worthy of trust and respect. Paul then goes on to say 'in the same way' or 'likewise' the women are to be honest and faithful in all things. He is addressing women who are deacons, not wives of deacons (1 Timothy 3:11). In his book, Tell Her Story (2) Nijay Gupta suggests the word deacon does not describe a servant or subordinate, but a person who provides ministries to the assembly. The characteristics to be a deacon are similar to those of an overseer, and they should have a clear conscience (1 Timothy 3:8-10).
Paul concludes his instructions about deacons saying they must be faithful in marriage and manage their households well (1 Timothy 3:12). The writer explains that those who serve well will strengthen their faith (1 Timothy 3:13).
My biblical fiction, Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, tells stories of women in the Bible who were leaders at home and in the community. It shows women as faithful and devoted disciples, patrons, and apostles. It sets an example for women and men today to be free to follow God's call for their lives.
Paul hopes to visit Timothy but writes so that Timothy will know how to lead God's household, which is the church of God. Paul quotes another saying, this one that describes the great mystery that Jesus appeared in the flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on and taken up into glory.
1 Timothy 4: Godly Training Has Double Value
Again, the writer reminds Timothy that some will abandon their faith and follow false teachings from those who do not listen to their good conscience. Among these false teachers, Paul mentions those who forbid marriage and promote virginity or celibacy, possibly referring to the woman in 1 Timothy 2. Paul also criticizes these false teachers for telling people to abstain from certain foods and observe Jewish dietary laws. Paul says God makes all things good through prayer (1 Timothy 4:1-5). He seems to be referring to Jesus's words that people are not made impure by the food that goes into their mouths but by the words that come out of their mouths (Matthew 15:11). In the same way, you can tell a good teacher not by their gender, but by their words and actions, the fruit of their heart (Matthew 7:15-20).
Paul encourages Timothy as a good minister, nourished on truth and following good teaching. He discourages Timothy from the godless myths and legal restrictions. Paul quotes another saying, that physical training has some value, but godly training has double value, both in this life and in the afterlife (1 Timothy 4:6-10).
Paul encourages Timothy to teach the truth entrusted to him, setting an example in word and in conduct, and not letting anyone look down on him because of his youth. He tells Timothy to keep publicly reading the Scripture, preaching and teaching. He reminds Timothy to use his gift, given through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on him. Paul encourages Timothy to be diligent and persevere, to save both himself and those who listen to him. All believers are likewise called not to neglect our God-given gifts, but to use them to bear good fruit.
Sources:
Marg Mowczko, "Paul's Qualifications for Church Leaders (1 Timothy 3)" https://margmowczko.com/pauls-qualifications-for-church-leaders/
Nijay Gupta, Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church, by Nijay Gupta. 2023, https://www.elainekelly.ca/post/book-review-tell-her-story
Elaine Ricker Kelly Author is empowering women with historical fiction about women in the Bible and early church and Christian blogs about women in leadership, church history and doctrine. Her books include:
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, Book 1 (2022)
The Sword A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role (2023)
Because She Was Called: from Broken to Bold, Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church, imagines Mary Magdalene's trip to testify before the emperor (2024)
Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience (2024)
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