3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
Verse 3 continues the list of 15 qualities an overseer should possess if he seeks the office of a pastor.
3 not given to wine,
An overseer should not be addicted to alcohol (Tit 1:7). The bishop must have the capacity of self-denial. He should not drink excessively. The principle could carry to any substance or sublimation abuse. The issue is moderation, not abstinence.
not violent,
There is no basis for a pastor using physical violence to deal with his church.
not greedy for money,
A central motivation of an overseer is that he is not motivated by money (1 Tim 6:10; Tit 1:7; He 13:5).
but gentle [fitting, seemly, fair or moderate],
The word “gentle” carries the idea of forbearing or allowing others room in ministry (Php 4:5; Tit 3:2; 1 Pe 2:18). A “gentle” or forbearing person manages his church with flexibility. He is not rigid; he does not carry the idea of “my way or the highway.” He deals with people with a sense of fairness and a sense of magnanimity.
not quarrelsome,
It is not a suitable method for a pastor to quarrel with his leadership or congregation (1 Tim 6:4). He does not lead by contention but by reason. He does not use quarreling as a method of communication (Prov 15:18; 17:14, 19; 18:1; 20:3; 26:17).
not covetous;
A pastor who loves his people is not in ministry for himself. He is not covetous, does not love money (1 Tim 6:5; Tit 1:11).
PRINCIPLE:
A pastor must possess wisdom in dealing with his congregation.
APPLICATION:
A pastor must have the capacity to deal with his congregation with a sense of fairness and flexibility in non-crucial areas (not speaking of doctrine here); he must not be argumentative or unreasonable. On a personal front, he should not be in ministry for himself but for the Lord and His congregation. He should be a man whom people can respect.
