Titus 1:6-9a If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he had been taught…
Sixteen qualifications for bishops (elders) [continue]: [11] Sober (1:8) [Greek, sophron] of sound mind; prudent; moderate; self-controlled. Translated sober, meaning no intoxication or fogginess of the mind (1:8; 1Tim. 3:2); temperate (2:2); discreet (2:5). [12] Just (1:8) [Greek, dikaios] Translated just 33 times; righteous 36 times; right 5 times; and meet 2 times. [13] Holy (1:8) [Greek, hosios] Translated holy (1:8; 1Tim. 2:8; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:4); mercies (Acts 13:34); and Holy One (Acts 2:27; 13:35). The bishop must be like God’s Holy One. [14] Temperate (1:8) [Greek, engkrates] having control of oneself; self-disciplined. [15] Holding fast to sound doctrine (1:9) [Greek, antechomai] to hold one’s hand; to shade one’s eyes; to be a help. Translated support (1Thess. 5:14); hold fast (1:9); and hold to (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13). [16] Able to exhort believers, and convince the gainsayers (1:9). Compare the qualifications for bishops and deacons in 1Timothy (1Tim. 3:2, 8).
‘Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.’ This is what men expect from teachers’ children.
‘Bishop’ [Greek, episkopos] translated as “overseer” or “bishop” (Php. 1:1; 1Tim. 3:2; 1Pet. 2:25). A bishop was a preaching elder. Bishops and presbyters were the same.
Living the Word 