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Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ~ 1 Timothy 3:1
Everything rises or falls with leadership, whether it be a family or a local church. Hosea said, “Like people, like priests.” People are like those who lead them. The Lord Jesus put it this way: “When a man is fully taught, he will be like his teacher.” It is inevitable that we become like the ones who teach us.
As we transition into 1 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul gives us the most important quality that God has ever given to leaders. Many years have passed since the Ephesian church began, and Timothy was given responsibility for the leadership of the church in Ephesus which was beginning to drift away from the truth due to the false doctrine taught by the false teachers.
Notice that the Apostle Paul addresses the false teaching by lifting up the
spirituality of those who want to be Overseers in the church. The antidote for the false is obviously the real. And, there is one vital quality that sets one apart for leadership. And, if one does not have this vital quality, he will never be a leader, even though he may be gifted greatly. The quality is intimacy with the Lord. A
leader who does not have an intimate walk with the Lord will be subject to being weak in his leadership.
In 1 Timothy 3:1, the Apostle Paul writes about the call to leadership. Long before Paul addresses any other qualities for the leader, God leads the Apostle to begin with: “Whoever aspires.” The one with with the walk and the desire is the one with the call from God. And, this call will be a compulsion in and from the heart.
The Apostle Paul says in v.1, "And if you
desire that, that’s a good thing to desire." The word for desire brings with it a yearning that the leader perhaps does not fully understand. There is a sacredness to it.
The Apostle Paul begins today's text with, "Here is a trustworthy saying." This phrase is used five times by the Apostle in 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:9, 2 Timothy 2:11 and Titus 3:8. "Here is a trustworthy saying." To put it simply, “This is the truth, and everybody knows it.” It will be so clear to everyone. And, this is only the formula used in the pastoral epistles, which means that it didn’t come into use until late in the ministry of the Apostle Paul.
The call to the ministry is the call to Spirit-generated compulsion to do ministry which cannot be diminished. This is not a question of choosing the best of options. This is not, "I can't do engineering, so I must go into the ministry." It is not a question of analyzing all of one's gifts or a personality profile, it is a question of a compulsion, a deeply generated desire given by the Holy Spirit to be used of God for the betterment of others.
Again, the Apostle writes, “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” The construction of this verse in the Greek indicates these leaders are to be males. Paul uses the Greek word "tis" which is a masculine pronoun, meaning, “if any man desires.” This is in keeping with the order of these things as indicated in the previous chapter.
Notice the Apostle writes, "Whoever aspires to be an overseer." The Greek word used here for overseer is episkapos. This word means so much more than a position, it is a work. This was a word that was used to describe men who taught and exercised care for a group of people, much like a shepherd.
The Apostle Paul is saying, "If a man desires to do the work of an overseer or a spiritual leader, it is a good thing." This desire is the aspiration of a heart which has itself experienced the grace of God, and which longs to see others come into a personal relationship with Him. Ambition for a position corrupts but a desire for service purifies. The leaders who are sent by God are leaders who are compelled from the heart to do the needed ministry.
The word noble is used to describe the task. This word means excellent, honorable, or high-quality work. To those who are called to this task see it as the highest and the greatest and the most worthy calling to which anyone could ever be called.
Years ago a young man in a church that I was speaking to said to me, "Why won't the leaders in this church acknowledge me as a leader?" I said, "Do you want the title of the leader or do you desire to do the work of a leader." Needless to say, being a leader is not about the approval of others. Leaders will always receive their share of criticism. A very wise man once said, "Never silence your critics for they serve to clarify your message." Being a leader is the product of giving one's heart to the Lord. Being a leader is about the passionate desire to do the work of helping the flock grow in their walk with the Lord Himself.
