1 Timothy 3:2-6

It is true that these verses in 1 Timothy 3:2-6, specifically apply to the qualifications of a bishop or pastor. However, these qualifications are equally applicable to the characteristics of a Godly man. As a man, an individual has been created by God to be the pastor over his home. There is great instruction in the following verses as to what marks a husband-father-pastor-man as being in the “image” and “likeness” of God.

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:2-6)

Man was created to exercise the authority of God over the rest of Creation. In order to perform this function, man must have an active relationship with God. He must know God and be known of God (Galatians 4:9). He must strive to be “blameless,” laying aside any hindrance to his walk with the Lord. A man needs to know the mind of the One he represents in order to be a faithful representative. This is absolutely true as man stands to function as a representative of God. A man has to “…have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), and so act according to His Will.

A man should be “apt to teach.” Those under a man’s authority cannot reasonably be expected to know that which they have not been taught. If the members of a household are unaware of the duties and expectations of their own position, it is the man’s Responsibility to instruct them. Part of a man’s task of ordering his home consists in the teaching of family members. In fact, those under authority have the Right to expect the one in authority to perform his Responsibility. A man needs to be mature, “not a novice,” and so lead to maturity.

At the outset of this study, we noted that God created man to be His physical representative within and to the rest of Creation. While this order of Creation encompasses the land, seas, and every living creature, we have also seen that God’s representation is carried out by individual men in the context of their households. Man is not complete until he is joined to his wife; and this union makes a family. The life of a man is therefore bound up in the life of his family and inseparable from it. In a similar fashion, so too is the life of Christ.

When we are baptized into Christ’s death, we are raised with Him (Colossians 3:1). The life we now live is Christ’s life (Galatians 2:20). We are joined to Him as His Bride, and He becomes our Head, exercising the authority that is His as God in the flesh. Our life is hid in Him (Colossians 3:3). His life is manifest through us (2 Corinthians 4:10). We are His physical representatives, exercising the authority of God. Let us then stand in the authority that we have as men who have been made in the “image” and “likeness” of God.