Qualifications for Elders

Titus 1

5 o This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and p appoint elders in every town as I directed you - 6 q if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, 1 and his children are believers and not open to the charge of r debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, 2 s as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not t be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent u or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, v and disciplined. 9 He must w hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in x sound 3 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

10 For there are many who are insubordinate, y empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of z the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since a they are upsetting whole families by teaching b for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 c One of the Cretans, 4 a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 5 13 This testimony is true. Therefore d rebuke them e sharply, that they f may be sound in the faith, 14 g not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and h the commands of people i who turn away from the truth. 15 j To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and k unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both l their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 m They profess to know God, but they n deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, o unfit for any good work.

  1. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:3
    As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 14:23
    And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
    2 Timothy 2:2
    And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
  3. Cross References
    Titus 1:6 - 8
    If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
    1 Timothy 3:2 - 4
    Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
  4. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:18
    And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
  5. Cross References
    Luke 12:42
    And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
    1 Corinthians 4:1
    This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
    1 Peter 4:10
    As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
  6. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:10
    And especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones.
  7. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:8
    Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
    1 Peter 5:2
    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.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:25
    Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
  9. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:13
    But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
    2 Thessalonians 2:15
    So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
    1 Timothy 1:15
    The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
    2 Timothy 1:13
    Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
  10. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:10
    The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.
  11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:6
    Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 11:2
    So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying.
  13. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:6
    For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions.
  14. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:5
    And constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
    2 Peter 2:3
    And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 17:28
    For "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.
  16. Cross References
    Titus 2:15
    Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
    1 Timothy 5:20
    As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
  17. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 13:10
    For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
  18. Cross References
    Titus 2:1 - 2
    But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
  19. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:4
    Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
  20. Cross References
    Colossians 2:22
    ( referring to things that all perish as they are used) - according to human precepts and teachings?
  21. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:20
    O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 11:41
    But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
    1 Timothy 4:3
    Who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
    Acts 10:15
    And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 14:23
    But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
  24. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:5
    And constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
  25. Cross References
    1 John 2:4
    Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
  26. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:8
    But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
  27. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:8
    Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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