Titus 1:7 (c) — Christians with “a Peel”

[Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless] —not overbearing …

Summary: Paul’s letter provides instructions for a mature believer in Christ to recognize other mature believers. In those who are mature leaders will be found. 

It is easy to talk about things we can see. If I am holding an orange in my hand, I can point to it, say the word “orange,” and be reasonably certain that you understand what I am saying. If there is any doubt about what an orange is, we can peel it, separate the fruit’s segments and share a delightful, juicy treat. 

When we talk about concepts that are more abstract, communication becomes challenging. For example, the Greek word authadēs is the one that the NIV translates as “overbearing.” This same word is also translated as “arrogant,” “stubborn,” and “selfish.” The Greeks had someone in particular in mind when they coined the word. Paul had a particular behavior in mind when he used it in his letter. 

Not being a Greek scholar, I have to rely on tools like Strong’s Concordance and the various translations I have access to. Then I have to form a picture in my mind of someone who is overbearing, arrogant, stubborn, and selfish. Sadly, that is all too easy to do. 

Once I have this picture in my head, I have to test it to see if it is right. How does being overbearing reflect on a Christian? 

There are many checklists in the Bible describing both Christian and non-Christian attributes. One that comes to mind right now is the list of Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. The characteristics Jesus says are blessed include being meek, merciful, and peacemakers. To my ear, these traits sound like the exact opposite of arrogant, stubborn, and selfish. 

Now to be clear, there are lots of arrogant, stubborn, and selfish people who come to church. Let’s face it, they don’t think that they are arrogant, stubborn, or selfish. They are just being themselves. Of course, that is the crux of Christianity, isn’t it? As Paul writes in Galatians 5:17 — 

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

You are not to do whatever you want…

The Body of Christ is a mix of all kinds of people. Jesus never said that you or I have to meet any kind of litmus test to qualify for being good enough for Jesus. Jesus takes us as we are, where we are. The only requirement is that we believe: 

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” _{(John 3:14-15)}

Titus’ job is to find people qualified for leadership in the church body. Paul’s letter is a kind of instruction manual for that job. In the body of believers are all kinds of people. Some are brand new believers. Others have been walking with the Lord for a while. Some find the transition from walking in the flesh to walking with the Lord easy. Others seem to fight it all the way. 

Paul’s letter guides a believer who is mature in their faith to recognize others who are mature in their faith. 

Application: Apply this test to ourselves. How do I rate on the overbearing scale? 

Food for Thought: How should the church body respond to a member of the fellowship who is overbearing?