1Timothy 3:2-3 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous
‘Must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.’ There are sixteen qualifications for bishops: Blameless in conduct [Greek: anepilemptos] (5:7; 6:14). Husband of one wife, i. e., not a polygamist. One could be a bishop without a wife, as Paul (2Cor. 9:5). Vigilant [Greek: nephaleos] drinking no wine; sober. Translated “vigilant” (3:2); and “sober” (3:11; Tit. 2:2). Sober [Greek: sophron] of sound mind; discreet; prudent; self-controlled; temperate. Not given to alcohol but always sober. Translated “sober” (3:2; Tit. 1:8); “temperate” (Tit. 2:5); and “discreet” (Tit. 2:5). Of good behaviour [Greek: kosmios] behaviour in general as someone professing godliness. Given to hospitality [Greek: philoxenos] kind to strangers and contributing to needy saints (cp. Rom. 12:13). Apt to teach [Greek: didaktikos] capable of teaching from God’s Word and not own beliefs (2Tim. 2:24). Not given to wine [Greek: paroinos] a winebibber, no drinker of any alcohol or even condoning others doing it (Tit. 1:7; Hag. 2:15). No striker [Greek: plektes] not quarrelsome; one not ready to strike back at those who displease him; no persecutor of those who differ with him (Tit. 1:7). Not greedy of filthy lucre [Greek: aischrokerdes] not desirous of base gain; not using wrong methods to raise money to increase his own income (3:3, 8; Tit. 1:7). Patient [Greek: epieikes] meek and gentle (3:3). Not a brawler [Greek: amachos] not contentious, but quiet and peaceable (Tit. 3:2). Not covetous [Greek: aphilarguros] not a lover of money; not desiring the office for the sake of personal gain or washing cash (Heb. 13:5; Luke 12:15). Ruler of his own house, not by hardness and tyranny, but with honesty. Not a novice [Greek: neophutos] a new convert to the faith. Of a good report from outsiders.
Living the Word 