⁵ … appoint elders in every city as I directed you, ⁶namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. ⁷For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, ⁸but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, ⁹holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Qualifications for spiritual leadership begin with a man’s reputation: he is to be above reproach. This does not mean perfection, but that no one can lay a serious charge against his character. The list ends with a commitment to promote and protect apostolic teaching. Solid character and solid doctrine—both are needed. One without the other makes for weak leadership.

It is clear that Paul is speaking of recognized leaders, not just men who float into influence. They must be known and acknowledged as spiritual leaders, and they must be spiritually qualified. They are not elected by popular consent but are to be appointed, just as Paul had practiced since his first mission tour when he and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in every church . . .” (Acts 14:23). Titus is to do likewise in Crete.

Whom Paul calls “elders” in verse 5, he calls “overseers” in verse 7. Elders are not primarily a decision-making board, but they watch over and care for the believers in the local church. They are plural in number (“elders in every city”), and they must be individually qualified; no one can hide behind the qualifications of the others.

Notice that qualifications are quite personal, in that a man who is a spiritual leader does not have a dividing line between his leadership role and his personal life. Of first importance, then, his family life must be in order. He is a “one-woman” man, which is the thrust of the underlying Greek language rendered in English as “the husband of one wife.”  He is not a womanizer or a flirt. His spiritual influence can be judged by the character of his children. His financial management reflects good stewardship; he is self-controlled as seen in the obvious areas of temper, use of alcohol, conflict resolution, and the openness of his life to others.  He is to be a man of good sense, what we today might call “common sense.” Here we see a blueprint for all Christians to aim for: spiritual maturity of Christlike character. And it begins with those called and appointed to spiritual leadership in the local church.

Lord, thank You for this clear outline of spiritual maturity. May Your Spirit convict me where I come up short.