Now the overseer is to be above reproach…
Summary: Paul’s instructions on being an overseer lead us to consider where they come from and how they relate to God’s will for us.
Paul begins this part of his letter to Timothy with a job description for an overseer.
Originally, the eleven disciples who had been with Jesus were designated as Apostles by Jesus himself (Luke 6:13). After Jesus ascended to heaven, they selected one more Apostle as a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:24-26).
Eventually, when the Apostles felt they needed help with managing the distribution of food, they selected seven men to take over this responsibility. The only requirements recorded are that they are “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3).
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul expands on what it means to be “full of the Spirit” in his famous passage about the “fruit of the Spirit:”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Later, in his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul lists a hierarchy of different roles in the church:
“And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28)
The word “guidance” in the NIV is often translated as “administration” or “government,” which is essentially the role of an overseer (Titus 1:7).
As we begin our journey through the overseer’s job description, it is helpful to understand how consistent God’s Word is in the development of church leadership. The foundation for all church leaders of any kind is the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are needed for every leadership role.
If an overseer is to be above reproach, both their public and private lives must be marked by love (Matthew 22:37-40), joy (John 15:10-11), peace (Philippians 4:7), forbearance (1 Corinthians 13:7), kindness (Proverbs 21:21), goodness (Ephesians 5:9), faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2), gentleness (Matthew 11:29), and self-control (Proverbs 25:28). These are the building blocks of integrity, all built on the Spirit of God sent by the risen Christ.
Application: In all things, strive to recognize God’s Spirit within you.
Food for Thought: How do we know if someone is “above reproach?”
I had to look up the word “reproach” to make sure I understood it fully.
“Reproach means to express disappointment, disapproval, or criticism toward someone for a fault or wrongdoing. As a verb, it means to rebuke; as a noun, it refers to blame, shame, or disgrace.”
How do we know if someone is “above reproach?”
I would have to say that they consistently and openly live a life of humility, self-control, and contentment. They seek to live and uphold standards of goodness and righteousness. They are dependable in how they act and in how they help others. Their words and their deeds are consistent. They are able to both live and defend the truth for which their life is based, and they are able to share and affect others with that truth.
Titus 1:7-9
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Thank you, Chris!
I’m glad you provided the definition for “reproach.” That is helpful.
I also like your definition of above reproach: “They seek to live and uphold standards of goodness and righteousness.”
Exactly!
How do we know if someone is “above reproach?”
I have to agree with Chris on this one adding in that we all have a past that we are ashamed of in some way but through the Holy Spirit and the work on the cross by Jesuse we are forgiven and God can use/turn anything into good.
Reproach happens when Jesus isn’t involved in your life.
Thanks, Tim!
You have a nice way of putting things! The road to reproach isn’t headed toward Jesus! Amen!