Bible Study - Titus 1

S – For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Titus 1:7-8 ESV

O – Commentary:
Paul was simply affirming that these qualifications are required of all overseers. The need for blamelessness is repeated from verse 6. The reason this quality is so important is that an overseer serves as a steward of God. Damage to a church leader’s reputation is damage to God’s reputation. Then Paul resumed his list with five vices which must not characterize an overseer: (4) not overbearing, not arrogant and self-willed; (5) not quick-tempered (cf. James 1:19–20); (6) not given to much wine; (7) not violent (cf. 1 Tim. 3:3 for this and the previous vice); (8) not pursuing dishonest gain (cf. comments on 1 Tim. 6:5).
1:8. Whereas verse 7 lists negative characteristics to avoid, verse 8 lists positive qualities to be sought. The elder must be (9) hospitable (cf. 1 Tim. 3:2); (10) one who loves what is good (cf. Ps. 15); (11) self-controlled, or temperate and sensible (sōphrona; cf. Gal. 5:23; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 2:2, 4); (12) upright (dikaion, “just”); (13) holy (these last two are, with blamelessness, two of the characteristics Paul himself had modeled

A. Duane Litfin, “Titus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 762.

A – An overseer is the one in charge of the church. That is a heavy mantle. It carries real weight.

Notice the word Paul uses: steward. A steward doesn’t own anything. He manages what belongs to someone else.

It’s God’s church. Not mine. Not ours. We steward all of it: the teaching, the resources, the people. The church is God’s vehicle to reach people and grow them up in Him. That’s why character matters so much. When a leader damages his reputation, he damages God’s reputation.

Look at the list again. Arrogance. A short fuse. Greed. Pastors aren’t immune to any of it. We’re growing in our relationship with God just like you are.

So pray for your pastors and church leaders. We don’t want to do anything that harms the body of Christ or the name of Jesus. We want God’s heart. We want His character formed in us.

And here’s the thing: this list isn’t just for pastors. Hospitable. A lover of good. Self-controlled. Upright. Holy. Disciplined. That’s a picture of every mature follower of Jesus.

How do we get there? We stay close to God. A close, growing relationship with Him produces this kind of character.

R – Heavenly Father, You are God. Thank You for the privilege of stewarding Your church. It’s Yours, not ours. Guard our hearts from pride, anger, and greed. Empower us to carry the mantle of leadership with integrity, so Your church will be a healthy, vibrant expression of Your love to everyone who gathers to worship You. We love You. Amen.