Qualifications:  Above Reproach

Back

Such a man must be “blameless”, that is, above reproach. What sort of reputation does he have? What sort of estimation of the man does his church have of him? What about his spiritual standing? Is he faithful to the Lord? Is he faithful in the study of God’s Word? Is he faithful in his present service for the Lord? And what of his personal life? Does he come across as a man who commands respect? Is he spiritually-minded in all his contacts with people? Simply put, is he a man against whom it is impossible to bring any charge of wrongdoing that could stand up to impartial examination? A pastor, as the leader among elders, must not be liable to criticism in any direction, whether in his home life, work life, church life, or in any other service for the Lord.

We also note from Titus 1 that Paul uses this qualification as the basic one that covers all the others. It is quite clear this is the case. “If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For [an overseer] must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, [etc.]” (Titus 1:6-7).

For an example of such a man in Scripture, we do well to consider what was said concerning Simeon, a leader of the Jews in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth. “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25).

Next

Copyright © 2002 Homerton Baptist Church.
Designed by SolfaWEB, Hosted by SolfaNET
Send mail to the Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.