What are his commandments?

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278» 1Tim 3:2e . . An overseer then. . must be hospitable

The Greek word translated "hospitable" basically means fond of guests.

In other words, church officers shouldn't be hermit types, or friendless
loners preferring solitude. Not that there's anything wrong with hermits and
loners; it's just that church officers are supposed to be shepherds, which
requires them to associate with the sheep entrusted to their care. A man
who doesn't mingle easily and comfortably really should consider taking a
position in church where he doesn't have to meet the public.
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279» 1Tim 3:2g . . An overseer then. . must be apt to teach

"apt to teach" is from a Greek word that basically means instructive, i.e.
didactic.

That word is tricky. It's sometimes translated "able to teach". That's okay I
guess, but I suspect it also refers to role models, i.e. people whose manner
of life exemplifies Christianity. In other words; their teaching is in shoe
leather rather than only in a classroom.
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280» 1Tim 3:2e . . An overseer then. . must not be addicted to wine.

Church officers aren't forbidden alcohol; just too much alcohol.

"No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your
stomach and your frequent ailments." (1Tim 5:23)

A "little" wine can lead to a lot for someone with a predilection to imbibe. For
people like that, it's best to avoid wine altogether rather than risk becoming
a candidate for AA.

For church officers with health issues, I suggest consulting a doctor because
there are much better treatments available in our day than there were back
then.
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281» 1Tim 3:2f . . An overseer then. . must not be pugnacious

Webster's defines pugnacious as militant, defensive, warlike, combative,
pushy, assertive, intimidating, scrappy, and belligerent.

Some men are natural-born bullies and others are ready to "take it outside"
at every challenge. With them, turning the other cheek is not an option.
Well; you sure don't want personalities like that on the board of your church
and/or helming the pulpit. Heaven forbid!
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282» 1Tim 3:3c . . An overseer then. . must be gentle, non contentious

A good church officer isn't what might be called shrinking; but rather, he's
an affable, courageous man who selects his conflicts carefully.

For some people, every disagreement is an act of war: they're assertive,
reactive, defensive, and confrontational not just some of the time; but all
the time. They debate trivia, and give petty issues an amount of undivided
attention it doesn't deserve.

A gentle, non contentious man is a good choice to chair a Sunday school
class because there's always at least one or more hecklers, fault-finders,
and/or know-it-all kibitzers in the room that are sure to try his patience.
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283» 1Tim 3:3d . . An overseer then. . must be free from the love of
money

That is a very, very important qualification because he'll be afforded many
opportunities for embezzlement.

I would highly recommend that a prospective church officer's background be
checked before proceeding with the interview process. Is his credit good?
Does he have gambling debts? Does he prefer gourmet foods and
restaurants? Does he wear Armani suits, hand-made shoes, a Cartier wrist
watch, and drive a new Lexus? What's his current home worth? What part of
town does he live in?

Because, unfortunately, there are men out there seeking careers in the
business of religion, and are very good at finding ways to get their fingers in
a church's treasury-- and not a few are looking for lucrative wage and
benefit packages instead of an opportunity to serve Christ faithfully, loyally,
and effectively; and looking out for their own his best interests instead of
his.
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283» 1Tim 3:4-5 . . An overseer then . . must manage his own family well,
and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not
know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's
church?)

There's respect, and then there's "proper" respect; which has to be nurtured
because a father cannot get proper respect by coercion and/or intimidation;
which instead earn fear, suspicion, mistrust, and dread. Tyranny might be
good Machiavellian management, but should never be construed as good
Christian management; which the above defines as "care".
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284» 1Tim 3:6 . . An overseer then. . must not be a novice, or he may
become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the Devil.

According to Ezek 28:12-19, the Devil's fall was due to his insufferable
superiority complex; which can be roughly defined as a sort of master-race
mentality.

● Rom 12:3 . . By the grace given me; I say to every one of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given
you.

If an inexperienced Christian is advanced too soon in church, they could
easily become so proud of themselves that they regard their position as an
achievement instead of a sacred trust. When someone is promoted to a
position in church they ought not celebrate as if they won valedictorian in
their senior graduating class; no; they really ought to be nervous because
God will be holding them to a higher standard than the rank and file. (Luke
12:48, cf. Jas 3:1)
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285» 1Tim 3:7 . . An overseer then. . must also have a good reputation with
outsiders

Paul lists that qualification as a must, as opposed to merely a good idea.

You know; that's all a church needs is to install a new officer only to find out
later he's his neighborhood's worst nightmare.

The new guy might be a one-eyed Jack in church, but the kids on his street,
and the people whose property adjoins his, the post man, the convenience
store, the gas station, the super market, the department store, the drive-up
at Burger King, the trick-or-treaters, the bank, the paperboy, etc, have all
seen the other side of his face.

It had better match the one he's shown you or your church's overall
influence in the community will be in the tank; and you will have a man in a
key spot whom Christ does not approve, and with whom he does not care to
associate.
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286» 1Tim 3:8-9 . . Deacons likewise must be men of dignity; etc, etc.

"dignity" is from a Greek word that means venerable, i.e. deserving honor
and respect, especially by reason of age; viz: esteemed.

The Greek word for "deacons" means an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a
waiter (at table or in other menial duties).

Deacons aren't necessarily clergy. In point of fact, many are laymen because
theirs is a support role rather than a shepherd's role. And "deacon" isn't a
career track, rather, deacons are typically uncompensated volunteers.

It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for a church's officers to run the
operation all by themselves without a ready pool of reliable grunts and go
fers; viz: men who'll step up to unglamorous routine tasks. (a.k.a. scut)
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286» 1Tim 3:10 . . And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as
deacons if they are beyond reproach.

The vetting process must of necessity include interviewing people who've
had experience with a candidate; for example:

● Acts 6:1-4 . . Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in
number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because
their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

. . . And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It
is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve
tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good
repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

The men considered for deacons in that passage were not only above
average spiritually, but also "of good repute". In other words: men being
considered for deacons really ought to be required to provide some
character references from among the congregation.
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287» 1Tim 3:11 . . In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of
respect; not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

Though an applicant for deacon may himself be a pious man, he's to be
disqualified if his wife's piety isn't on a par with his own.

I think that may be based upon Gen 2:18; where it's stated that a wife's
purpose is a supporting role rather than a starring role. An impious wife is
probably not going to be very enthusiastic about her pious husband's
devotion to the care and function of a church.
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288» 1Tim 3:12-13 . . Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good
managers of their children and their own households.

Qualifications for deacons are very similar to those for the officers they
assist. (cf. 1Tim 3:2 & 1Tim 3:4-6)

Monogamy is a practical consideration. Keeping it down to one wife, rather
than more, results in fewer distractions, and less misery, for church men to
cope with. Sister wives don't always make for a peaceful home.

NOTE: This rule isn't limited to Christian church men. It's a requirement for
Israel's monarchs too. (Deut 17:17)
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289» 1Tim 4:7a . . Have nothing to do with the worldly fantasies of withered
old women.

I think this refers to spiritual traditions that the seniors of every generation
customarily pass down to the young; thus perpetuating man-made beliefs
and practices rather than those in the Bible.
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290» 1Tim 4:7b-8 . .Train yourself to be pious. For physical training is of
some value, but piety has value for all things, holding promise for both the
present life and the life to come.

The Greek word translated "train" refers to the conditioning that athletes
underwent in order to be in top form during competition, i.e. practice.

Webster's defines piety as devoutness, i.e. committed or devoted to religion
or to religious duties or exercises; also: devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode
of behavior.

James wrote that faith without works is dead, and encouraged his readers to
put Christ's ways into practice rather than just study them in Sunday school.
(Jas 1:22-25)

I'm pretty sure that one of the things "promise for the present life" refers to
is providence, which works to our best advantage when we're pious rather
than worldly. (John 14:21-23, 1John 1:6)

NOTE: There was a Christian formula circulating back in the day that went
something like this: "Practice the presence of Christ." Well that's all well and
good as far as it goes, but I would rather encourage practicing piety instead.
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291» 1Tim 4:11 . . Command and teach these things.

The Greek word translated "command" basically refers to a teaching method
that not only gives instructions, but also urges the hearers to comply. It's a
kind of teaching that makes demands on folks. For example:

● Matt 7:24-27 . . Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them
into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain
came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

. . . But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them
into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came
down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house,
and it fell with a great crash.

● Luke 12:47-48 . .That servant who knows his master's will and does not
get ready, or does not do what his master wants, will be beaten with many
blows. But the one who does not know, and does things deserving
punishment, will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted with much, much more will be required.

● John 13:17 . . Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you
do them.
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292» 1Tim 4:12 . . Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in
speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those
who believe.

It's commonly assumed that Paul's instructions were in reference to
Timothy's age; but I suspect it had more to do with his looks.

Some men age well; for instance the actor Rob Lowe. As of today, he's 60
years old; but honestly doesn't look it. Rob is one of those lucky guys who
seem to be forever 21; and handsome too.

I think Timothy may have been like that. He just didn't look old enough to
take the reins of a church, let alone an entire diocese. In other words: it
could be that Timothy didn't look the part so he was going to have to really
mean business if he was to win people's respect. I would say that preventing
folks from looking down on one's youthfulness means: don't give 'em a
reason to.
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292» 1Tim 4:13 . . Focus upon the public reading of scripture, and to
preaching and teaching.

Public reading was necessary because of the scarcity of Bibles in print those
days. All were hand-written; none were mass-produced like now. But even
with the ease of access to Bibles nowadays, the danger lies in Christians
becoming self-taught if church officers neglect to preach and teach. (cf. Eph
4:11-16)

Scripture in those days would have been pretty much limited to the Old
Testament since the New Testament's canon had not yet been compiled. The
Old Testament is very important because it is impossible for believers to
obtain a full understanding of The Lord's mission and purpose without a
comprehensive knowledge of the Old Testament.

● Luke 24:44-45 . . And he said unto them, These are the words which I
spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled,
which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the
Psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they
might understand the scriptures.

The Old Testament is also very useful for other purposes too.

● 2Tim 3:15-17 . . The holy scriptures are able to make thee wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

● Rom 15:4 . . For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the
scriptures we might have hope.
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293» 1Tim 4:15-16 . . Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to
them, so that everyone may see your progress.

Goods and services are often advertised by means of comparisons; i.e.
before and after, e.g. weight loss programs, age resisting cosmetics,
hormone replacements, house paints, etc.

Well; Christianity is reputed to be not only a life-changing religion, but also a
person-changing religion. For example:

● Rom 8:11 . . If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living
in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal
bodies through His spirit, who lives in you.

● 2Cor 4:16 . .Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are
being renewed day by day.

Of all the people in church, its officers really ought to be living exhibits of
before & after results of their own religion.

* I should think it needless to say: when a church officer is involved in
political activism and/or civil disobedience; he will fail to be diligent in these
matters and give himself wholly to them.
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293» 1Tim 5:1a . . When speaking to an older man, appeal to him
respectfully as though he were your own father.

Children are not their parents' peers; no, parents are their children's betters.
It's an insolent demonic dunce who treats their parents with no more respect
than a college beer buddy.

I was in a Sunday school class one morning where a young fellow
substituted for the regular teacher. After practically every sentence during
his lecture, the fellow would pause, tighten his lips, turn down the corners of
his mouth, squint his eyes into narrow slits, and look around the room with a
fierce scowl on his face; and better than half that room was older than he
was. I don't know about the rest of the group, but as a man easily twice his
age; I deeply resented the looks that youngster was giving us.

NOTE: Disrespect for elders, especially one's own parents; was very
prevalent during Mao Zedong's so-called cultural revolution.

Some and/or all of Mao's principles are still practiced in various societies
around the globe where the powers that be encourage children to spy on
their parents-- to rat them out as enemies of the State --thus effectively
breaking up family solidarity; which can result in frightful consequences. (cf.
Matt 10:34-36 & Malachi 4:5-6)
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