WHO CAN BE AN ELDER? (Part 1)
Two Greek words are used in the New Testament in reference to elders. The Greek word episkopos occurs only five times in the New Testament, and is translated “overseer” or “bishop.” And the Greek word presbuteros is translated “elders” 59 times. The New Testament seems to use these two words interchangeably. Titus 1:5-7 says, “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders [presbuteros] in every town as I directed you – if anyone is above reproach… For an overseer [episkopos], as God's steward, must be above reproach…”
The word episkopos refers to the act of taking care of, or watching over, or looking carefully upon. The more commonly used word, presbuteros, refers to being responsible for the tasks of exhorting, and refuting those in error, which fits the judicial roles that the Hebrew people would have seen the elders of the synagogues perform in New Testament times.
That means elders needed to be men of character. When Paul informed Timothy and Titus of the qualifications of eldership, he focused primarily on character rather than gifting or abilities.
Paul wrote that an elder must be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:1), “sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable” (1 Timothy 3:2), and “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Timothy 3:3), as well as “well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace” (1 Timothy 3:7). Paul also wrote that an elder “must not be arrogant or quick-tempered” (Titus 1:7) and “a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” (Titus 1:8) and that he “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9).
This obvious emphasis on personal character is understandable given that the elders of a church are meant to be following Jesus’ example of leadership. Our views of Christian leadership are to be rooted in the humble servanthood of Jesus. Jesus said to his first followers: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15). Jesus is the supreme example of leadership as he described himself by saying, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Paul also modeled this, “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears” (Acts 20:19).
But it should be noted that the very first qualification that Paul mentions is not a character trait, or a gift or ability. It is a calling. Paul said to the elders of the church in Ephesus, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). God calls people to be elders. And the very first thing Paul mentioned to Timothy regarding elders makes it clear how God’s calling will be evident in a person: “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). Desire to be an elder is the first thing to confirm, and then we are to look at a person’s character, followed by their gifts and abilities.