Something Greater

The Destruction of Nobility 1 Timothy 3:1 What has gone before... Following seven character qualities that demonstrate a person's aspiration and desire to serve as a leader, Paul presented a list of six examples of behavior: three negative and three positive. A comparison of two versions of the list showed that the ESV combined two of these behaviors into one, while KJV reflected more accurately the six distinct behaviors. Moving on... "If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." 1 Timothy 3:1-3 (ESV) Here, Paul lists three negative patterns of behavior which can destroy any one or all of the seven qualities of a "noble task". Drunkenness (staying near wine) Violence (smiter, pugnacious) Sordidness

Sober-minded 1 Timothy 3:2 What has gone before... In Paul's "job description" for overseer, the first and last descriptors function as an introduction and summary: above reproach and well thought of . Paul requires Christians to consider whether they are above reproach concerning marriage . Biblically, marriage is a life-long, socially legal contract between one man and one woman. If this contract is broken, it must be only for the cause of sexual immorality. Divorce for any other reason is evidence of sin-hardened hearts. Until such a heart is submitted to Christ in repentance , such a one should not be considered for the office of overseer. Moving on... After faithfulness in marriage, Paul next urges us toward sober-mindedness . "An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded.." 1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) SOBER-MINDED: nephaleos "nay-FAL-eh-os" (sober or circumspect, wary and unwilling to take risks); from ne