6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
Verses six to nine set forth qualifications for leaders in the church (cf. 1 Ti 3:2-7). There are 17 qualifications in this section. We should find these qualities in any Christian but especially in a leader of a congregation, because he is the model.
6 if a man is blameless [unreprovable],
The overall requirement of an elder is blamelessness. He should not leave himself open to accusation or indictment either in the church or in the community. No one should be able to accuse a Christian leader of some blame he incurred. He should live his life above reproach so that he is not open to criticism.
Blamelessness does not imply perfection but rather that these qualifications are characteristic of his life. It is important to disabuse our minds of being perfect. We are sinful but we have a new nature.
Qualifications of a biblical leader require three blameless conditions:
-his marriage and family (v.6).
-his personal character traits (vv. 6-8).
-his commitment to God’s Word and remaining true to its message (v. 9).
PRINCIPLE:
No ministry can rise higher than its leader.
APPLICATION:
A Christian leader requires the primacy of character that results in a good reputation. A good reputation of a church’s leadership both in and out of the church is necessary for credibility. Behavior is the basis that forms the reputation. Any church that neglects this will suffer in the end.
1 Ti 3: 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
There is also a difference between the credibility of a genuine life and an unfounded accusation.
The important issue is not form of government but character of leadership for the local church. Leadership requires articulated standards. We will see these standards in successive studies.
