Paul told Titus “to… appoint elders in every town [in Crete] as I directed you” (Titus 1:6). But this appointing of elders wasn’t based on whom Titus happened to like or want, nor even that of the congregations where those elders would serve. Instead, Paul will specify who may or may not be an “elder” based on a potential elder’s character traits (by using adjectives) and who he is (by using nouns).
Elders and Overseers in Christ’s Church
Read Titus 1:6
| Description (ESV translation) | Meaning |
| “above reproach” | Adjective: someone’s character (and, thus, how he lives his life) must give no basis for accusation or reproach. |
| “the husband of one wife” |
Under Roman law, men were legally allowed to commit adultery, while women were not. Even if married, an elder was to faithful to his wife, not exercising his “rights.”
See graphic, below |
| “children are believers” |
Literally, “children, being faithful.” Faithful is an adjective, not a noun. The question is, faithful to whom? Context here is to the father, the potential “elder,” for he is the subject of this verse, not God. This reveals an undergirding worldview that if a man is unable to manage his own household, how can he manage (be a steward of) God’s household. Paul revealed as much to Timothy when it came to deacons (1 Timothy 3:12). The children are teknon, young enough to be under their father’s authority in his home. |
| “not open to the charge of debauchery” |
Greek, asotia: noun, recklessly incorrigible. The Septuagint only uses asotia referring to a glutton (Proverbs 28:7) or a fornicator (2 Maccabees 6:4). Asotia, however, refers to the underlying cause of such behavior, not simply the behavior itself. A reckless incorrigibility leads someone to make such behavioral choices in his life. And, of course, someone who is recklessly incorrigible is not someone who respects his father. |
| “not open to the charge of… insubordination” |
Greek, anupotaktos: adjective. This is a character trait of not willing to be ruled. |
Read Titus 1:7
This verse lists the negative character traits an elder is not to have and who an elder is not to be. Paul does not command this; he simply states who an elder/overseer is not.
| Description (ESV translation) | Meaning |
| “overseer” | Noun: Overseers and elders are synonyms for, what we call, “pastors.” In the New Testament, “pastor” is a verb meaning to “shepherd.” “Overseer” is an appointed position where he is charged to watch over a congregation, having spiritual authority and responsibility for the flock under his care. |
| “God’s steward” |
Noun: Steward means “household manager.” The elder/overseer does what God has given him do. God is the “owner” of the house; the overseer “manages” the house according to God’s direction. |
| “above reproach” |
Paul repeats himself here. The reason for being “above reproach” is because he is God’s “household manager.” |
| “not arrogant” |
Adjective: not self-willed. As God’s steward, an elder is to carry out God’s will, not his own. |
| “not quick-tempered” |
Adjective: having a disposition or inclination toward anger. |
| “not a drunkard” |
Adjective: a proclivity to be addicted to wine; implied here is for an elder/overseer not to have an addictive personality, which could lead to some vice having power over him. |
| “not violent” |
Noun: Greek, plaktas. The best English rendering is “bully.” |
| “not greedy for gain” |
Adjective: not greedy for money. |
Read Titus 1:8
These two verses list the positive character traits an elder/overseer is to have. In these verses, Paul states who an elder/overseer is.
| Description (ESV translation) | Meaning |
| “hospitable” | Adjective: A welcoming person, this is having a disposition toward helping others in need. |
| “lover of good” |
Adjective: A character trait of loving what is good. |
| “self-controlled” |
Adjective: Sound and balanced in judgment. This is more of one’s inward character shaping his outward actions |
| “upright” |
Adjective: Law-abiding, in this case, someone who lives according to God’s Law. |
| “holy” |
Adjective: The adjective of the noun dikiao, “justification.” The character trait of being righteous. |
| “disciplined” |
Adjective: In control of one’s self. |
Read Titus 1:9a
Paul now moves from the character traits an elder/overseer has and who he is to the more specific function of teaching the Faith.
| Description (ESV translation) | Meaning |
| “He must hold firm” | Paul connects verse 8 to verse 9 using a participle: “holding firmly.” Again, this is not a command but what an elder/overseer does. |
| “to” |
Paul uses the accusative form of kata, a preposition. This denotes—not what an elder/overseer holds firmly to—but in what way: according to. The content of the Faith shapes how an overseer holds on to it—firmly. Shaped by the Faith he teaches, the overseer becomes a conduit to pass on faithfully what he has faithfully received. |
| “the trustworthy word as taught” |
Literally: “the teaching of a faithful word.” The word is faithful, that is, trustworthy and reliable, when it is according to “the teaching.” The definite article “the” denotes that this teaching comes as a complete package. Paul emphasizes this even further by using a singular noun, “teaching,” not “teachings.” “The teaching” is the Faith that the Word, Jesus, gave to His Apostles, the Eleven, to teach: “teaching them all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). |
Read Titus 1:9b
Paul now explains why.
| Description (ESV translation) | Meaning |
| “so that he may be able to” | “may be able” is from dunatos, “powerful.” “The teaching” gives the elder the power to do what comes next. |
| “give instruction” |
Paul now uses parakaleo, which is literally calling someone to one’s side, that is, to comfort someone. |
| “in sound doctrine” |
Paul now describes in what way the elder is to comfort: “in the teaching.” Paul describes that teaching as hugiano, “full of health; that which gives health, even life.” This is not the elder having the power to do this in himself; this power is resident in the Teaching, which “empowers” the elder to comfort someone. |
| “and rebuke those who contradict it” |
Literally: “and the speaking against to expose to the light.” The truth of the teaching exposes what is false to the light. Notice that the elder is speaking the teaching, which shows what is false to be false. The power is in the teaching, which the elder speaks. The emphasis in on speaking against the false teachings, not the false teachers (that’s the next verse and next week’s lesson). |
Pastor’s translation:
… holding firmly according to the Teaching, a word that is faithful, so he [the overseer] can comfort someone in the life-giving Teaching and speak against [false teachings] to expose them to the light.
For a man to be a manager of God’s household and oversee the “flock,” he is not to have certain negative character traits. But simply lacking the bad is not enough. He is also to have certain positive character traits. This is all to support, and not take way from, an overseer comforting someone in the Teaching and exposing false teachings through the truth of the Teaching.
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