The entirety of the Pastoral Epistles is really an extended discussion of the qualifications of elders and their duties toward God’s people. Limiting our understanding of the qualifications to simply the exact words given in the representative lists of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 is not sufficient. We began to consider this broader understanding of the qualification in a previous article, The Power of the Gospel on Display Through Spiritual Leaders.

If we don’t limit ourselves to just the representative lists, we see themes about the required character of spiritual leaders in the Pastoral Epistles. Here are a few of those themes.

Love

In 1 Timothy, we see that elders are to be “examples in love” (4:12¹) and are to “pursue love” (6:11).

Second Timothy emphasizes love. God has given to us “the spirit of love” (1:7). We are to follow the pattern taught by Paul, which is “faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1:13). Instead of following youthful lusts, elders are to “pursue love” (2:22). Again, Paul appeals to his own example as he discipled Timothy and tells him he must “follow his pattern of love” (3:10).

Missionaries, elders, and pastors must ask, “Am I known as someone who has the love of Jesus?” Or are we known for our stubbornness, strict perfectionism, and self-centeredness? Do the people we serve know without hesitation that we love them? Is the same true of our neighbors?

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). We must be examples of the love of God.

Gentleness

As we begin again with 1 Timothy, we see Paul naming gentleness in the list of qualifications (3:3). He also told Timothy to “pursue gentleness” (6:11). In 2 Timothy 2:25, Paul says that elders must be governed by a spirit of gentleness even when correcting opponents.

Consider another key passage about qualifications, 1 Peter 5:1–3. Gentleness is central to being Christ’s undershepherd:

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Shepherding requires much care and gentleness, for sheep are weak and vulnerable. We must exemplify a gentleness that communicates we do not serve Christ to fulfill our own agendas, but rather that we genuinely serve Jesus and not ourselves in the ministry.

Do those in our care see the Great Shepherd through the way in which we shepherd them? Regardless of our own personalities, backgrounds, or spiritual giftings, are we genuinely gentle? What would our spouses say? Our children?

Humility

1 Peter 5:4–6 continues,

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.

Love, gentleness, humility—these all go together. Pursuing these qualities leads to a blameless life. How do other pastors and missionaries view you? Are you known for humility, being a peacemaker, or as someone who demands his way, lashes out against people who disagree, or is incapable of accepting rebuke or correction? How about the local believers where you serve? What would they say?

Patience

Consider how often humility and its resulting patience are mentioned in the Pastoral Epistles:

First Timothy speaks of the need for elders to be able to accept rebuke over sin or false teaching (5:19–20). If they cannot, they don’t understand Christianity and find themselves frequently in controversies and causing strife (6:2–3). Such a person must not be an elder.

Instead, 2 Timothy 2:22–25 shows us what a grace-filled elder looks like:

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

Paul urges Timothy to follow his pattern of “patience” (3:10), to have “complete patience” (4:2). This can’t happen without humility toward God and man. Pride is the great enemy of all believers, but especially dangerous in spiritual leadership.

Continued Dependence, Continued Growth

The grace which saved, sanctified, and qualified us is the same grace that enables us and keeps us qualified. That same grace even makes us increasingly MORE qualified than we were before! As we continue in ministry, we should see in ourselves a steady growth in grace. Others should be able to testify to its presence in our lives as well.

In 1 Timothy, Paul says, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service” (1:12). God judged us faithful to be chosen by God’s people to serve in spiritual leadership. He appointed us to service and by the Holy Spirit gives us strength to serve Him. Paul’s second letter to Timothy emphasizes this truth: “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (1:14). We must continue to depend upon God’s Holy Spirit to strengthen us, to keep us from sin and temptation, to deliver us from evil, and to remain qualified.

“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17). We have and will face many more trials and tests; however, the Lord will be with us and strengthen us through them all if we continue to trust Him. Continued dependence upon Christ keeps the power of the Gospel working effectively in our lives.