6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:6-9 KJV)
Qualifications for Elders
The apostle gives Titus directions about ordination, showing whom he should appoint and whom he should avoid. He points out the qualifications of elders both in their life and character, and in their doctrine (Titus 1:6-9).
Their life must be marked by integrity. More generally, an elder must be blameless—not absolutely without fault, for all have sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23), but not under a bad reputation or guilty of scandalous behavior that would disgrace the ministry. Even Christ and the apostles were falsely accused, but a leader must be free from any just charge that would harm the faith.
More particularly, in his family life, he must be “the husband of one wife” (Titus 1:6). This does not mean a minister must marry, but that he cannot be a polygamist or guilty of unfaithfulness. The church of Rome’s rule of celibacy contradicts God’s ordinance, for Paul says, “Don’t we have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles?” (1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Timothy 4:3). As for children, they must be faithful, obedient, and raised in the faith, “not accused of being wild or disobedient” (Titus 1:6). This reflects well on the parent’s diligence and shows he may be trusted with the greater responsibility of God’s household.
The reason is clear: “Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless” (Titus 1:7). In Scripture, elders and bishops are the same office, entrusted with teaching, ruling, and caring for the flock. As stewards of God’s house, their character must be above reproach, otherwise their ministry would harm the church.
Negatively, a bishop must not be self-willed, arrogant, or stubborn. He should not be quick-tempered, for if he cannot control his own passions, how can he govern the church (Proverbs 16:32)? He must not be addicted to wine (1 Timothy 5:23; Ephesians 5:18), violent, or greedy for dishonest gain (1 Timothy 3:3). A minister is called to point people to eternal things, not to pursue wealth as his chief aim.
Positively, he must love hospitality, showing generosity especially in times of persecution when believers were in need. He must love what is good, be prudent and wise in his conduct, just in his dealings, holy in his devotion to God, and temperate, exercising self-control. Sobriety, justice, holiness, and discipline are fitting for one who must lead both by word and example (Titus 1:8).
As to doctrine, an elder must “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught” (Titus 1:9). The Word of God is true and infallible (2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 3:14), and ministers must cling to it in faith and teaching. Paul could say, “I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7) and “I did not hesitate to proclaim…the whole will of God” (Acts 20:27). By sound doctrine, the elder must exhort the willing and refute those who contradict the truth.