1 Way Only--Is He An Elder Or Not?

Is He An Elder or Not?

by Timothy A. & Kimberly B. Southall

Please note: Each scripture is linked to The Bible Gateway. Scriptures will open in a separate window in your browser while this window will also remain open. You can click back and forth between the two windows. Once you have read all of the scriptures, you can close that window.

Also note: In the "Controversies Over Requirements" section below, there are Greek words given with the English equivalent following in parentheses. If you do not have the font "Koine" installed on your computer, then the Greek words may not appear accurately.

The Word of God gives us the information we need in order to identify who the elders (also known as shepherds and/or overseers) of our congregations are. Acts 20:28 tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who makes men overseers. The selection of elders, therefore, is made by God and not by any of us. Let us always remember that.

Qualifications To Become An Elder

God's Word sets forth the qualifications for elders. These are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:2-3. In addition, the qualifications for deacons are likewise requirements for elders (as established in 1 Timothy 3:8), and they are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-12. And even though the qualifications are as simple as can be, we in the church sometimes somehow manage to make the requirements about as clear as mud. Why? We don't know. For if we will review the requirements in question form, it is a simple matter to know whether the Holy Spirit has made someone an elder or not. Is there someone being considered for the position of elder? Ask yourself these questions about him:

Has he set his heart on being an overseer? (1 Timothy 3:1) Yes No

Is he "not a recent convert"? (1 Timothy 3:6) Yes No

Is he above reproach? (1 Timothy 3:2) Yes No

Is he blameless? (Titus 1:6, 8) Yes No

Is he respectable? (1 Timothy 3:2) Yes No

Is he a man worthy of respect? (1 Timothy 3:8) Yes No

Is he upright? (Titus 1:8) Yes No

Is he holy? (Titus 1:8) Yes No

Is he sincere? (1 Timothy 3:8) Yes No

Does he have a good reputation with outsiders? (1 Timothy 3:7) Yes No

Is he disciplined? (Titus 1:8) Yes No

Is he temperate? (1 Timothy 3:2) Yes No

Is he "not quick tempered"? (Titus 1:7) Yes No

Is he self-controlled? (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) Yes No

Is he hospitable? (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) Yes No

Is he able to teach? (1 Timothy 3:2) Yes No

Is he one who loves what is good? (Titus 1:8) Yes No

Does he hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught? (Titus 1:9) Yes No

Does he keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience? (1 Timothy 3:9) Yes No

Does he encourage others by sound doctrine? (Titus 1:9) Yes No

Does he refute those who oppose sound doctrine? (Titus 1:9) Yes No

Is he "not given to drunkenness"? (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7) Yes No

Is he "not indulging in much wine"? (1 Timothy 3:8) Yes No

Is he "not overbearing"? (Titus 1:7) Yes No

Is he "not violent but gentle"? (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7) Yes No

Is he "not quarrelsome"? (1 Timothy 3:3) Yes No

Is he "not a lover of money"? (1 Timothy 3:3) Yes No

Is he "not pursuing dishonest gain"? (1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7) Yes No

Is he the husband of but one wife? (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6) Yes No

Is his wife "not a malicious talker"? (1 Timothy 3:11) Yes No

Is his wife temperate? (1 Timothy 3:11) Yes No

Is his wife a woman worthy of respect? (1 Timothy 3:11) Yes No

Is his wife trustworthy in everything? (1 Timothy 3:11) Yes No

Does he manage his own family well? (1 Timothy 3:4) Yes No

Does he manage his children and his household well? (1 Timothy 3:12) Yes No

Do his children believe? (Titus 1:6) Yes No

Does he see that his children obey him with proper respect? (1 Timothy 3:4) Yes No

Are his children "not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient"? (Titus 1:6) Yes No

Has he been tested? (1 Timothy 3:10) Yes No

If the answer to any of the questions is unknown, then the true answer needs to be ascertained. If the answer to any of the questions is "no," then the Holy Spirit has not selected the individual in question to be an elder of Christ's church. Period. Remember, God set forth the requirements for elders, and He controls the circumstances in which we find ourselves. If one doesn't meet all of the requirements, then it is not us who says a man is not qualified, it is God.

Qualifications and Responsibilities to Remain An Elder

Not only do the above qualifications need to be fulfilled at the time a man is appointed to be an elder, but he must also continue to fulfill each and every one of the requirements of becoming an elder. And once an elder, there are additional requirements and/or responsibilities he must fulfill. What about those who are already elders in our congregations? Are they truly elders chosen by the Holy Spirit for the position? In addition to the questions above, let's review other questions which apply to elders already appointed:

Is he willing to be an overseer? (1 Peter 5:2) Yes No

Is he eager to serve? (1 Peter 5:2) Yes No

Is he "not greedy for money"? (1 Peter 5:2) Yes No

Does he "not lord it over those entrusted to him"? (1 Peter 5:3) Yes No

Is he an example to the flock? (1 Peter 5:3) Yes No

Does he keep watch over himself and all of the flock? (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17) Yes No

Is he on guard against "wolves" or men who may arise and distort the truth in order to draw disciples after them? (Acts 20:28-31) Yes No

Is he willing to pray over the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord when requested? (James 5:14) Yes No

Controversies Over Requirements

There are some requirements for elders which seem to be debated over the issue of semantics or definitions. Let's review some of them.

Does an elder always have to be a married man? Yes. According to scripture, he has to be "the husband of but one wife," therefore an elder must be a man, and he must be married. (See 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.)
Does an elder have to have children? Yes. According to scripture, his children must believe, he must manage his children and household well, and he must see that his children obey him with proper respect. Therefore an elder must have children. (See 1 Timothy 3:4, 12; Titus 1:6.)
Does an elder have to have more than one child? Yes. The word translated "children" in 1 Timothy 3:4 and Titus 1:6 is from the Greek word "tekna" (tekna) which is plural. The word translated "children" in 1 Timothy 3:12 is from the Greek word "teknwn" (teknwn) which is plural. The singular form of this word in Greek is "teknon" (teknon), and would be translated into the English word "child." However, the singular word is not used in connection with requirements for elders; the plural word is used, meaning an elder must have more than one child.
Are adult children exempt from being considered as part of the requirements to become and remain an elder? No, they are also included, regardless of their age. As shown in the answer to the previous question, the words "tekna" (tekna) and "teknwn" (teknwn) are translated into the English word "children." This Greek word (and its forms) refer to one's offspring in general rather than to those who haven't yet reached adulthood. A good example of this is found in Romans 8:16-17, which says in part, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs . . ." The same Greek word "tekna" (tekna) is used there also. Obviously, Romans 8:16-17 refers to adults as well as to those who have not yet reached adulthood. Likewise, 1 Timothy 3:4, 12 and Titus 1:6 refers to the elder's adult offspring as well as his offspring who have not yet reached adulthood.

Conclusion

There is a great need for biblical elders in our congregations today. However, we must be very careful not to overlook any of the required qualifications and consequently appoint a man whom the Holy Spirit has not designated to be an elder. Untold damage can and has been caused within the Lord's church by Christians selecting unqualified men to be elders. Appointing men to oversee and shepherd the flock of God's children is very serious business. And no one but no one, other than God, is qualified to know who should fill that position. In fact, scripture tells us that "the Holy Spirit has made" overseers (Acts 20:28). If He didn't make them (and the circumstances which qualify them) to be elders, then they are not elders. And if we appoint them as such contrary to God's Word and will, then we presume to know better than God and are usurping His authority over His own church. God's Word assures us that all individuals who take on the role of elder must someday give an account as those who have kept watch over the flock. (See Hebrews 13:17.) Surely, no unqualified man would knowingly wish to find himself faced with that task, nor would any of us want to place him in that terrible position.

God wants only the best for all of His children. If we will just place our faith in Him and follow the qualifications He has lovingly and wisely put into place for our benefit, it won't be difficult for us to be able to determine whether any particular man is an elder or not.