1 Timothy 3 English Standard Version

Qualifications for Overseers

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Even if we do not aspire to be overseers, these things are recommendable; sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome.

Such principles are sound advice for all of us.

Why?

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover, he (we) must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he (we) may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Avoiding snares is a good thing.

Romans 14:1

Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

How do we determine who is weak in faith without being judgmental?

Let us for arguments sake put the shoe on the other foot.

How would you like it if someone said your faith was weak?

I would be resentful, but that is just me. I don’t get to answer that question for anyone else.

1 Timothy 6:3-6 English Standard Version

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,

As long as opinions are not elevated to the status of doctrine and are not being taught we should not judge those opinions that do no harm to the unity within our believing community. When it becomes an issue of division within the body we have a problem and those involved need to be brought before the elders for the sake of settling disputes.

If a person’s opinion is something you don’t agree with, evaluate the importance in the light of doctrine. Will it weaken your faith to hear it? If not perhaps it is not something that needs to be addressed openly within a group and spark contentions.

1 Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.