9-26-13 The Pastor Is To Be Above Reproach

1 Timothy 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

We begin our list of the qualifications that a pastor must have in order to hold the position of pastor. These qualifications are specifically geared toward the selecting of new pastors, but they ought to be held by any person who is shepherding Jesus’ church.

The first one we come to is an over-arching one. I think it sums up all of the others very nicely; “a pastor must be above reproach.”

To be above reproach means that there should never be a charge against a pastor that will stick. Oh, many charges may be brought against him, but none, given the evidence, should stick.

To be above reproach means that the man should be blameless, irreproachable, unable to hold on to in a guilty manner. There should never be a case brought against this man where he is found guilty. He is to be above any reproach.

This is a high calling wouldn’t you agree? I believe that God himself qualifies his selected pastors. I believe that He places these qualifications inside the person He chooses to lead His people. How else can you explain (given our fallen and sinful nature) how any individual could live their life above reproach. In Titus chapter 1 there is a list of qualification for the pastor as well. It is a similar list that integrates with our list beautifully. But in Titus, Paul tells him that the list of qualifications required of a pastor are what Titus is suppose to be looking for in the men of his congregation. This is how Titus is to be able to spot these future pastors.

If you are not a pastor, why is this important to you? Well, God desires all of his people to be above reproach. It does not qualify them to be a christian, but it is a way of life that most reflects the God we represent on earth. One example is found in 1 Timothy 5:7 where Paul tells us that he desires widows to be above reproach.

As we press on through this list, know that these are the qualities you are to be looking for in a future husband. And these also are the qualities that you are to strive toward yourself. May the Lord bless His Word to our hearts.