PASTORS/ELDERS/BISHOPS QUALIFICATIONS

Greek Definitions

Pastors:  poimen meaning shepherd; one who leads sheep to pasture and water; tends; guides; guards; protects.

Elders:   presbuteros meaning aged person; person of advance life; denoting wisdom, maturity and experience; spiritual experience.

Bishops: episkopos meaning one who oversees; gives spiritual oversight; emphasis upon responsibility.

These are the same persons with various descriptions of their characteristics and sphere of responsibilities.  Thus in the New Testament these early church leaders were spiritually mature and gave oversight and shepherding care over the flock of God of whom Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.

Scripture References

I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-3

1. “blameless” - anepileptos meaning not laid hold on anenkletos not accused or called in. Meaning without reproach; unrebukeable; nothing laid to one charge as result public investigation; absence of even a charge of accusation against a person of improper Christian behavior
2. “husband of one wife” – mias gunaikos meaning a one-wife man; faithful to his one wife; not a bigamist; no immorality
3. “vigilant” – nephalios meaning having self under control; not in bondage to self and to the desires of the flesh
4. “temperate – eokrates meaning exercising self control
5. “sober” – sophrona meaning sound mind; serious minded; sensible, wise; balance in judgment
6. “good behavior” – kosmios meaning modest; orderly; disciplined
7. “given to hospitality” – philoxenos meaning lover of strangers; opening life and home to others; unselfish; willing to share one’s home with others
8. “apt to teach” - didaktikos meaning able to teach; communicate whole counsel of God; qualified by the Holy Spirit to instruct by life and words; teachable
9. “not given to wine” – paroinos meaning tarrying or sitting long at wine; addicted; drunkenness
10. “no striker” – plektes meaning to hit; not a fist fighter; not violent
11. “not greedy of filthy lucre” – aischarokerdes meaning greedy for base gain; questionable or dishonest money-making; free from love of money; stingy with
12. material blessings
13. “patient” – epieikes meaning yielding; considerate; gentle; tender
14. “no brawler” – paroinos meaning not quarrelsome; contentious; abusive
15. “not covetous” – aphilarguros meaning money grabbing; lover of money
16. “ruleth well his own house” – proistemi meaning to stand before; lead with care and diligence; lead by example and words; recognized leader of household
17. “children in subjection – hupotage meaning submission; under control; well behaved; respectful
18. “not a novice” – neophutos meaning newly planted; new convert; beginner in the faith; babe in Christ
19. “of good report” – maturia meaning well spoken of by non-believers; good reputation and character; good testimony and witness to outsiders
20. “not self-willed” – authades meaning to please self; stubborn; arrogant; inconsiderate; insensitive
21. “not soon angry” – orgilos meaning quick tempered; prone to anger; quarrelsome; flies off the handle
22. “lover of good men” – philagathon meaning lover of good which can be men, deeds or things; desires and loves God’s will in everything
23. “just” dikaios meaning upright; fair and impartial; doing what is right; make objective judgments based upon Scriptural principles.
24. “Holy” hosios meaning pure; devout; separated from sin
25. “holding fast the faithful word” antecho meaning to cleave firmly; stable in faith; pistos logos meaning trustworthy message; sure truths; obeying God’s Word in word and actions