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1 Timothy 3:1
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1 This is a true [pistos] saying, [logos] If a man [ei tis] desire [oregomai] the office of a bishop, [episkope] he desireth [epithumeo] a good [kalos] work. [ergon] KJV-Interlinear
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. NASB
Paul moves from speaking of the general roles of Christians, to the more specific role of the leadership of Christianity.
While everyone has an obligation to fulfill the duties of Christianity, as living examples of the faith, it falls upon a very few, who will bear the responsibility of teaching the fundamental principles of Christianity to believers.
And it is to them that a higher calling, or rather a higher standard is expected.
As with any human endeavor, the people are the weak link. Since we all have sin natures, anything that people do, is subject to flaws. However, the flaws of people are not to be interpreted as Christian attributes. Unfortunately there are far too many Christians who do not adhere to even the basics of Christian doctrine and that is where Christianity gets a bad name.
Beginning with its leadership (instructors), the collective Church (of Christians) is only as good as its leadership, and is only as good as its (believers in general) collective desire to want to learn and grow.
When the leadership is in it for the prestige, of the approbation, for the attention they perceive, for an easy ride through life, for the fad of a given or popular subject, then their motives are wrong. The damage they can inflict on believers can be tremendous. Consequently, people who enter into a ministerial endeavor with the wrong motives or in violation of Gods mandates, and likewise any followers who pursue Christianity in similar fashion, are subject to special discipline.
Hos 4:9
9 And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways, And repay them for their deeds. NASB
Christian leadership is the core of Christian teaching. Support of that leadership is likewise the core of Christian growth. We studied just a few weeks ago, that the individual believer has the obligation to pray for two basic things – namely Bible doctrine and their instructors.
Since all of our lives depend on a relationship with God, and the only means of obtaining that relationship is through the written Word, then we must have access to doctrine and someone who is objectively qualified to teach it. Without either of these, then none of us would have anything.
Paul starts this chapter with a general understanding that this topic is well known, and therefore needs no further documentation.
‘It is a true saying,’ means this concept is well known and is an obvious truth.
If I were to tell you that jumping off of a thousand foot tall building would end up badly for you, and that it was an obviously stupid thing to do, and that it is a well known and understood fact, then there would be no further need for proof. We would not have someone jump off of the building just to prove it. So, everyone understands the concept.
As for those who want to argue the idea, well their motives are self serving, subjective, confrontational and for attention getting only. You’ll find a lot of these types of people online who profess atheism or some religion or other false belief.
It is a well known fact, that if a man (masculine) desires the office of bishop, then it is a good thing, an honorable pursuit.
This desire to ‘teach others,’ is the honorable pursuit, not the title.
Office of a bishop refers to the duties of that person, not the title, not the recognition, but the day to day job that belongs to the job.
Bishop, ‘episkope,’ means overseer, chief, boss, one who is responsible, an instructor of others, pastor, elder, Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-2.
The instructor is given the responsibility of teaching others, and to set the example, the spiritual example, for others.
Luke 6:40
40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. NASB
The office is limited to men, the office is there only for those who have the desire (passion) to carry out its responsibilities. The office is not fad or popular topic oriented only. The office is not for temporary utilization or the convenience of those who would float in or out of it, based on whims.
It is an office of ‘good work.’
Good means intrinsic or valuable regardless of the circumstances.
Work means toil, responsibility, productive duty.
This office is not one of inactivity or for lazy people, who only want to escape their responsibilities and obligations in this world under the guise of ‘doing work for Jesus.’
This post is not for casual entertainment or casual interest in popular subjects. It is not an academic undertaking nor just like any other subject in life. It is not a position to be taken lightly because of the long term affects it can have on others.
It is an honorable post, because its primary objective is to help people prepare completely, for their eternal life. The results of Bible teaching (all subjects), sets the stage for the lives of people, for all of their eternal existence, for their ultimate completion, for their fulfillment, for their meaning and purpose in existing. Its value is intrinsic because its objective is infinite.
That makes it the most honorable position in all of the world. No other occupation can make the same claim.
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