OVERSEER OF THE BODY part 2

“Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…”
I Timothy 3:2

Previously in looking at the qualifications of an overseer, I left with encouraging you to evaluate your life in the three areas we discussed. Those qualifications included being the reflection of one who is blameless, your devotion and marriage only to God, and not giving of yourself over to the aftertaste of sin on your breath. Again, our lifestyle speaks more than our words. But as we continue on with I Timothy 3:2 today, let us look in depth at the remaining four qualifications just found in this verse.
The next qualification to make the list is the word ‘self-controlled’. Let me start by saying that this is a different self-control than the fruit we read about in Galatians 5:23. In the Galatians passage the word is EGKRATEIA, meaning to be one who masters his desires and passions. Here in I Timothy, though, Paul uses the word SOPHRON, meaning also the curbing of desire, but more so the fact of being of a sound mind or sober in thought. In the physical, a minister needs to have his or her mind fixed on God’s ways, sober to the mindset of what and how God desires to move. He cannot, or should not, move based on society or fear of what the church may think, but should be stepping out in the truth that God is speaking. This fact revolves around the being one with God. But in the greater definition of us all being ‘episkope’, we all need to be in the same mindset with God. We all need to curb our desires and be sober in the ways of God.
While more can be said regarding self-control, we move to our next qualification which is stated as being ‘respectable’. In the Greek we read this word as KOSMIOS, from the root word KOSMOS. Kosmos is defined as a harmonious arrangement or order. Kosmios is defined as well arranged and modest. The root and variant both involve the same context, that of order. An ‘episkope’, whether behind the pulpit or in the greater meaning of one who is searched by God, needs to be one who is orderly. Now while this can mean physical order, I think it can just as well mean spiritual order. We must strive to be those who search out the truth, apply the truth, and share the truth. It is no surprise that there are many theologies just within the church that battle for supporters, but I urge you to study out God’s Word for yourself. Taking the belief of other preachers, or even other family members, is not being well arranged as much as it is being lazy. Dig for yourself and allow God to arrange and order your belief based on His truth.
The qualification of being ‘hospitable’ is the Greek word PHILOXENOS, and is a literal translation. We as ‘episkope’ should be hospitable and generous to others. This same word is found in I Peter 4:9, where Peter writes, “Use ‘philoxenos’ one to another without grudging.” We are not to murmur or debate the fact on a list of pros and cons, but are simply to be generous. The fact is this can be harder done than said. What if we do not want to be hospitable, are not able to be hospitable, or are just afraid of being taken advantage of when being hospitable? I wish I had an answer for these concerns, but all I can say is what I am now saying to myself. The example of Christ was that of a servant. I see now that I need to serve a little more, trusting that what I am doing is His will.
Lastly in I Timothy 3:2 we read the qualification of being able to teach. I have actually heard this piece taught as the ability to teach, as well as the fact of being teachable. To end the debate, the word in the Greek is DIDAKTIKOS, and it translates into an apt and skill in teaching. In the pastoral sense, it makes sense that a pastor should be one who is able to teach the crowd, draw them in, and leave them with a point or two to ponder at home. But is this true also of the greater definition of ‘episkope’? I venture to say yes. When approached or challenged concerning your beliefs, are you able to share on the terms of the listener what you believe? Are you able to teach them about God in a skillful and sensible way, or do you leave them wondering what your are trying to say? I am not saying we all have to be scholars and English teachers, but am suggesting that we know what we believe so that we can clearly share our beliefs with others.
In just one verse we have defined seven qualifications of an ‘episkope’. I share these qualifications not to sway you to begin judging your pastor, but to encourage you to perhaps judge yourself. We are all ministers as we are all being watched. And the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is truer than we think. What thousand words are being spoken of others about you as they look at your life and your Christian title? Are you an ‘episkope’? If not, then perhaps this is a good time to begin letting God search us out, challenge us, and sharpen us to meet these qualifications He has put in place.