(4-5) He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
Paul here continues his explanation of the qualifications that pastors must meet. It’s worth revisiting the several different ways we should examine this section.
1) It tells us what the men should be like that we appoint to eldership.
2) It shows us a paradigm of Christian character, since elders are to be examples to the whole Church.
3) It shows pastors how they are to continue to live.
4) It shows us the character of Jesus Christ, who is the Church’s Head Pastor and Shepherd – which is the same word in Greek, actually.
We need to note that again, the character trait that Paul points out here is not optional – it is ‘necessary’ – it is a ‘must.’ Someone who doesn’t have this trait cannot be an elder.
He must do a good job managing his own household – and this will show up in the submissiveness of his children. Are his children, in general, obedient?
Further, is the manner in which he keeps his children obedient ‘dignified’? This answers the question ‘how’ does he keep his children submissive? Is it through godly or ungodly means? Does he rule as a tyrant? Does he try to be his childrens’ best friend? Or does he seek to lead them lovingly to Christ?
So – those with unsubmissive children and those who keep their children submissive by wrong means are excluded from the pastorate.
This requirement seems a bit stringent, doesn’t it? Ultimately, can a parent be held completely responsible for his childrens’ behavior? No – not ultimately. However, while they are children, does a parents’ ability or inability to parent well not show up in the behavior of their children?
Paul goes on to provide the rationale for this requirement: “…for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
The similarity here is in leadership. The goal of a pastor is to lead well, instructing people in the word of God and applying the word of God to them, such that they obey God. And that is the same as the goal of a Christian parent for their children.
Paul makes a connection here – if someone can’t manage his own household – how can he manage a household that’s not his own? In which he only represents the Head of the house? He cannot. The Church needs people that can represent her Head, Jesus Christ, to her – well. And this is the love of God for us – to instill, in authority in the Church, those who imitate Christ to her well. Who care for her well.
We note here that it is God’s Church. And that Jesus ultimately cared for Her. He died for her to save her (Eph. 5). He leads her to salvation (Heb. 3). He saves her perfectly. He speaks to her through the Scriptures which are given to her (1 Tim. 4). He has given her his presence for joy (Eph. 2). He loves us, died for us, is caring for us, teaches us, and has secured salvation for us.
And those we appoint as elders should imitate him well, so that in the Church, Jesus will be loved and honored.
Summary:
-Those we appoint as elders must have submissive children.
-Those we appoint as elders must parent in a dignified, serious, godly manner.
-The Church is God’s House. It’s Jesus’ household.
-A pastor must be able to represent Jesus’ loving leadership to the Church in the way that is appropriate to a father leading his family.
-Jesus, ultimately, has loved and cared for his Church – and saved us.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for caring for us. Thank you for infallibly leading us who you chose before the world existed to salvation. Thank you that you grant perseverance in walking with you based on your death in our stead.
Cause me to lead my household well, Father, as Jesus loved us. Cause me to assist in the appointment of elders in the Church who lead in a loving, dignified, holy manner – desiring nothing more than to represent and honor Jesus Christ.
In his blood I pray, amen.
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