Choosing Elders (Part 2)
By Randy Blackaby

Despite the fact that many denominations routinely ordain women elders, the apostle Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus clearly stated that the divinely directed pattern calls for male elders.

Further, the apostle declared that serving as an elder is "work" and that a man must be willing to do, and desirous of doing, such work. The eldership is not simply an honorary office.

And, the character of a man suitable for this work is to be defined by the word "blameless."

The gender qualification is disturbing to those who advocate the political correctness of contemporary culture.

Many men have later admitted that they allowed themselves to be appointed as elders in response to the urgings of others, not because they desired to do the job. Some men are pressured into serving when they are told that if they don't, the church will be without an eldership. Others consent because their wives want to see the "honor" bestowed upon them, or for a host of other unsuitable reasons. A number of elders are appointed without really understanding the "work" of an elder.

The qualification that requires a man who serves as an elder to be "blameless" is often misunderstood. This has led to the exclusion of many good men. On the other hand, in violation of God's will, some men who have been appointed cannot be considered blameless.

Only Men Are to Serve As Elders

The context of Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus make clear that only a man can serve as an elder. In 1 Timothy 3:1-2, Paul wrote, "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife." Also, in Titus 1:6 Paul wrote, "If a man be blameless, the husband of one wife."

It is appropriate to note that the Greek word translated man in the New King James Version is not definitive. By using just that word, we could not be sure the apostle was referring to a male, instead of simply to humankind. Because the word is not definitive, the translators of the King James Version translated it "man" in Timothy and "if any" in Titus.

However, the context easily resolves the issue. Both texts state that the person who qualifies to be an elder must be "the husband of one wife." Obviously, a woman can't be the husband of one wife.

Further, in 1 Timothy 3:4-5, the apostle writes that the prospective elder must be, "One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God)."

In Ephesians 5:22-24, Paul directed wives to submit to their own husbands and that "The husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church."

Thus, common sense and Scripture combine to demonstrate that an elder learns the skills for leading a local congregation by exercising leadership in the home. Only a man is authorized to be leader or head of the home; thus, only a man can qualify to be an elder.

An elder's work involves exercising authority. In Hebrews 13:17, we are exhorted to, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls ..." The words "obey," "rule," and " submissive" demonstrate that authority adheres to this job. It is not authority as exercised by the rulers of the Gentiles (Matthew 20:25-28), and elders aren't "lords" over the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3), but it certainly involves the congregation's voluntary submission and obedience to their elders' leadership.

I've said all this to demonstrate that women are not permitted to lead as elders. In verses immediately preceding his instructions to Timothy regarding elder qualifications, Paul wrote, "And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." (1 Timothy 2:12-14)

So, to believe that a woman would be qualified to serve as an elder, one must disregard God's directions for the leadership of the home and the church.

Desire for the Work Is Absolutely Necessary

It almost goes without saying that a man who doesn't desire to be an elder will make a pretty poor "overseer" or "shepherd" of the flock. It is both reprehensible and harmful for a man to agree to be an elder when he doesn't really want to serve. It is a direct violation of God's decree and demonstrates a callous disregard for His will.

Further, it should be noted that the apostle said, "If a man desires the office or position of a bishop, he desires a good work."

If we had before us only the English words "office" or "position," we might reach erroneous conclusions, since it is not uncommon in politics for a man or woman to be elected to an office and really do no work. Some offices are created to be honorary positions. But the apostle, under divine guidance, closed that door when he referred to the eldership as a "work."

It is arguable that the desire to serve as an elder needs to begin in one's youth, before a man is fully qualified. If more young men would focus on this desire with regard to the women they choose to marry and as they contemplate how they will raise their children, imagine how much larger would be the pool of qualified men from which the church could appoint elders.

As all the other qualifications in combination also suggest, the desire to be an elder must be rooted in a desire to do the Lord's will, see the kingdom grow, and help others attain eternal life.

An Elder Must Be Blameless

The requirement for an elder to be blameless is found in both 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6. But a misunderstanding of this qualification has led some to conclude, directly or by implication, that no man is qualified to serve as an elder. If we interpret this term to mean a man who has never sinned in his life, or who never makes a mistake, such would clearly contradict Romans 3:23, which declares, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

The words used by Paul mean:

The meaning is similar to the phrase "above reproach."

Now, let's use the common sense God gave us to understand the directions (Scriptures) He also gave us.

If a Christian is an obedient believer in the Christ who died for our sins, and if the church is the body of those saved from their sins (Acts 2:47), then we must conclude that every Christian and every member of the church has sinned sometime in the past. If blameless means "never sinned," then Jesus is the only man who could ever be termed blameless.

However, when a person obeys the gospel of our Lord and savior, his sins are remitted, forgiven, washed away, and remembered no more.

If a man's life as a Christian is marked by a high degree of obedience to God and a willingness to repent anytime he finds sin or error in his life, then he will be blameless. When a man repents of sin, and God forgives him, that sin can't be held to his account.

The idea here is very similar to that depicted in 1 John 1:5-10, where John referred to, "walking in the light." It is necessary to walk in the light; yet, John declared that if a man says he has no sin or never sins, he is a liar. However, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

What we must look for in an elder is a man of maturity, whose sins are relatively infrequent, and who demonstrates ready repentance when sin is found in his life. That's the example and pattern that needs to be shown to the entire congregation.

What we sometimes forget is that all Christians are called upon to be blameless. The apostle Paul wrote to the troubled, divided, and often sinful church at Corinth, "That you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:8) The context shows that such blamelessness will not be attained by personal perfection, but through the working of Christ.

Christ's death on the cross provided forgiveness of sins committed before we obey the gospel and of sins committed after we become Christians.

What is certainly illogical and improper is imbuing blamelessness with narrower meaning in reference to elders than to others.

It should be the objective of every Christian to live a life holy and free of sin. The qualification, in reference to a potential elder, calls for selection of a man whose character and behavior reflect having achieved this to a high degree. Again, absolute perfection is not in view, but a life of walking in the light. This includes readiness to avail oneself of the pardon available through repentance.

Finally, as proof that "blamelessness" refers to a life habituated in righteousness and a willingness to repent when occasional sin occurs, readers are pointed to the example of the apostle Peter.

Peter was the once-impulsive disciple who vowed that though others might stumble, he never would. Yet, as Jesus was being tried before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:33-35,69-75), Peter denied Him three times. This same Peter, after the Lord's ascension, after he had first preached the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, was rebuked by the apostle Paul for hypocrisy because he followed the lead of Judaizing teachers and refused to eat with some Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-14).

Consider that Peter was an elder, as well as an apostle, and thus subject to the qualification of blamelessness (l Peter 5:1). If blamelessness means a man has never sinned or erred during his time as a Christian, Peter would not have been qualified to be an elder.

Conclusions

The qualifications we've examined demonstrate that the Lord is looking for men experienced in successful leadership in their homes, who have a great desire and eagerness to lead fellow saints, as they have fellow family members, toward righteous, godly living.

Sought is a man whose life is characterized by righteousness, which includes a humble spirit willing to repent when sin is discovered in his life. When repentant and forgiven, he is unblameable or unrebukeable in the sight of God and men. When sins are blotted out or expunged from the record, there is no basis for charging a man with sin (Acts 3:19). "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." {Hebrews 8:12}

This qualification, like others we will examine in coming months, points to a man who is mature in the faith. He is the man the Lord wills to lead the local church.


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