This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading many months ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.
Our text is from the Greek translation of 1 Timothy 3:1. Here is my translation:
“SENTENCE 3 ‹ πιστὸς ὁ λόγος › [CD Εἴ [TP τις TP] ἐπισκοπῆς ὀρέγεται CD]
This is a faithful word: If anyone desire to be an overseerκαλοῦ ἔργου ἐπιθυμεῖ”
he desire a good work
Here are some observations:
- Paul wants the readers to know that what follows is a “faithful word.”
- What follows is a conditional statement in light of the presence of Εἴ (“if”). That is, this isn’t necessarily the case with everyone in every situation.
- Also the conditional in the Greek is a first class conditional sentence which assumes that still this is true (as opposed to counter-factual statements, statements that are unlikely, etc) that some would desire this, and that this situation would “fit the bill” for certain individuals.
- The possible scenario is “If anyone desire to be an overseer.”
- The Greek verb for “aspire” (ὀρέγεται) occur also in 1 Timothy 6:10. There it describes the longing for wealth. Thus we should understand “aspire” here not just a second thought but an intense focus and desire.
- The Greek present tense of the verb “aspire” (ὀρέγεται) indicates that this is a continuous and habitual desire. In other words, its not just a one time thing. Again this emphasize the strong desire.
- The Greek word for the office of “overseer” here is ἐπισκοπῆς which is where we get our English word today “Episcopal.” (But don’t equivocate that this is the same thing as the ecclesiastical group and traditions). It is used interchangeably with the term “elders.” We know this because of Paul’s usage. For instance in Titus 1:5 Paul tells Titus: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” Then two verses later Paul explains the qualification for those he would appoint but this time he calls the office “overseer” (ἐπισκοπῆς).
- God’s evaluation of this is described as follow: “he desire a good work”
- A different word for desire is mentioned here than “aspire” (ὀρέγεται) in the first half of the verse.
- It is also a noun instead of being a verb and this noun ἐπιθυμεῖ is often used in a negative sense such as in 1 Timothy 6:9 (Kitchens, 123).
- ἐπιθυμεῖ is a compound word with the word “upon” and “be angry” put together; the word thus has the idea of intense desire.
- This desire is described as “good” (καλοῦ). In the Greek the word καλοῦ is not just only ethical in its dimension but also aesthetically pleasing. That is, it is good and beautiful. It is a beautiful thing when God puts the desire into someone to love and serve the church and serve God!
- Yet this is also described as “good work.” Don’t miss the fact that it is “work.“
Application:
- For those who are not pastors
- Do you realize leading the church is a good calling? Sometimes in some quarters I have met Christians who have a low view of serving God in the ministry. Often its because of the money is low, etc. Let this not be true with us!
- Yet a high view of the pastorate means we should pray for our elders, pastors and other church leaders.
- Pray for them according to the rest of the chapter of 1 Timothy 3, that this be true in their lives.
- Also encourage them to live out and become what is the qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy 3. Point out problems gently. Also on your end be patient and pray!
- Pray and keep an eye out for also future men to desire ministry. Don’t forget the church is multi-generational. Biblically speaking your affirmation and support matters! Its how one tell if someone is really called or not.
- For those who desire to be a pastor
- Do you desire to be a pastor? Realize it is a good desire!
- But don’t just stop with the desire; if God is truly calling you, He would bear character and virtues in your life that shows you are truly called by the Lord to minister. Read the rest of the chapter in 1 Timothy 3. Do you aspire to be those things? How are you progressing towards that in your life?
- Also grade yourself from 1 Timothy 3 of the characteristics of an overseer. Is there something you can work on in terms of your virtue? Talk to someone about this to grow deeper in being a man of God!
- As we pointed out in this devotional don’t forget being an overseer is “work.” Don’t be a pastor because its easy or because you are lazy. I’ve worked in the Marines and pulled over 24 hours job and other work and there’s nothing like the intensity for me as the amount of work that ministry demand both physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, intellectually and sacrificially.
- Consider the importance of discipleship by a godly pastor or elder. I think that’s one of the ways you can tell someone who merely wishes to be a pastor for ulterior motive versus someone who genuinely serves God: there’s a mark of humility and willingness to grow and be equipped versus someone who is blinded by pride and arrogance which is motivating them to be a leader.
- For those who are pastors
- Do you grumble in the ministry? Never forget the high calling and privilege to serve the Living God!
- Never forget this is work. But it is “good work.” Do you work hard for the Lord?
- Would people in your congregation say you are doing “good work?“
- Also read and pray through 1 Timothy 3 to be true in your life in terms of the characteristics of an overseer. Work on the areas you are weak in.
- Ask someone which area you work work on in 1 Timothy 3. Always be sensitive to what people point out in terms of sin, weaknesses or constructive criticism; you need it, God knows and what is said to you might be used providentially by God to grow you, regardless if your suspicion of the person’s motivation in telling you things.
- Do you have the perspective that difficulties in ministry refines you and is also the test whether or not you are really called to lead?
- Also you don’t want to be a tyrannical pastor. It doesn’t please God, its sinful and ineffective. You don’t want to go there. Be one who desire to be a man of God and open to critique. Have people close to your life that you know will tell you where you are wrong or need to grow in.
- Remember it is a good work to be a minister but you are not the only one that God is using in the church. Work with your lay elders, work with your congregation and just because being an overseer is a good work does not mean church is a one man dog and pony show with the pastor on stage. Rather, your job is to lead and equip others to do more ministry and service to God!
- Regularly read good books on a minister’s character and doing ministry bibilcally. Don’t forget this is a high calling.
Just this Sunday in class we had group prayer that God would call men to be preachers. Seems not many answer, as we have way too many churches with no pastors.
I just prayed for your area of the United States. I get cynical sometimes when guys graduate from seminary and say they can’t find a pastorate for years. I think they picture a perfect suburban ministry in a big church as their “calling.” There’s so much need in New England, in rural areas, in churches in deep urban area, and apparently what I’m learning from you is even your area. More than seminarians I train overseas I think so much of seminarians in America and graduate of seminaries have way too many personal preferences than loving the churches and going to where the need is. LOL you can probably tell I’m rather passionate about this topic…
Brother, you are as they say, preaching to the choir. I must confess that I get a bit judgmental when I look at the number of men who say they “have been called to preach,” but never take a church to pastor. They fill in and things, but never committ their lives to the ministry. It’s probably wrong for me to judge that way, but I am guilty of it.
Excellent short devotional on the calling of a pastor! We like to grumble about our pastor’s shortcomings, but do we pray for him and come alongside him in support? God bless your ministry.
Thanks Tom! As a result of your comments I was led to pray for other pastors too; its easy to complain and grumble, how sinful we are. But we must pray! I do believe God answer our prayers in this area. Hope the snow isn’t treating you too bad in the morning thus far this week…
Thanks, no snow substantial forecasted until the middle of next week, but we have a -1 degree temp on deck for tomorrow as part of the deep freeze sweeping across the north. Did you ever once have to warm up your car in the a.m. in So Cal? It’s a habit up here. But two-man teams drive around neighborhoods looking for cars warming up in the driveways and steal them.
Wow seems like criminals always have endless ways to try to still commit crime everywhere! I hope these two man team never jacked your car and that you are not talking from personal experience or that of your immediate neighbors? The last few weeks I have been thinking about what you shared on here concerning living in a place that snows and it makes me really appreciate Sunny California. I don’t think I warm up the car as long as you probably do…I think if it snows in Southern California no one would go to work. People have a hard time going to work when it rains here lol.
No, we’ve never heard about the car thefts happening in our neighborhood, but we see it on the local news every once in awhile and they warn viewers not to warm up their cars unattended. Yeah, we get a chuckle up here out of hearing about cities like Washington D.C that completely shut down when they get an inch of snow. Of course they don’t have the road salt and heavy duty plows like we have.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog!
Yankee Whiskey Bravo
If a person lacks the qualifications commanded by God in 1Timothy, God does not consider them to be a leader of His church. A Christian that calls such a person, ‘Pastor’, has not been taught what it means to trust God’s Word. Churches today fail because they choose their leaders based on their feelings and emotions and not the Word of God. IIChronicles 7:14
I agree with you brother and I see what you saying happening in churches I know, mainly friends churches.
Reblogged this on RG's 2 Cents Studios and commented:
It seems to me, that if a pastor does his job right, it’s one of the most difficult jobs in the world. And yet, it also seems to me to be the most rewarding.
A pastor who has the spiritural hearts desire for our God’s truth must be upheld with prayer by the sheep he is leading and ministering to. The enemy only attacks those who reflect the Holy Spirit. The enemy already has the others. 🙂
Wow good point. False teachers are already in the hands of the Enemy…but they will want to attack pastors who truly want to do God’s Work. This led me to pray. God bless you sister and thank you so much for all your prayers for me for various things the last few weeks and months! You have been a blessing on WordPress to myself and other saints!
Pastor ty, but these words are from the Holy Spirit. :))
I like this devotional. The Lord bless all you do Pastor Jim, You are a inspiration.
Praying for your ministry.
Aww thank you Crissy for reading this devotional and also for your prayers. I had a rough week and weekend last week so this means a lot as an encouragement. May the Lord bless your week Crissy!
Thank you pastor !
Truth without grace is a prison. Grace without truth is chaos.
Truth will always offend.
I am looking at a list of 15 verses on the subject of exposing and correcting distortions of the gospel. It is not a good work when an overseer will not publicly denounce false teachers. There can be no true unity apart from truth.
I look at books full of false teaching selling by the millions because the sheep are untaught.
I see polls done by Barna and others that show huge percentages of regular church attenders believing that Jesus most likely sinned. You know this long list so I will not further elaborate.
if I was a pastor and saw one of my faithful members reading The Shack or Jesus calling or the Message Bible I would be ashamed of myself.
Apostasy will flourish when the pastors practice apocity.
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