Introduction: The high standards are to be set for Pastor/Elders. These are but standards and no one could ever be perfect in all qualifications (because of our sin nature). It is but a goal or qualities found in their lives. Note too the constant use of the Present Tense (instead of an Aorist Tense which would have denoted an action in the past without regard to its duration) in the Greek text of the "TO BE" verb in 1 Timothy 3:2 ("must be" EINAI; present tense). It would read: "He is to be this way right now..." In other words this recognizes that he certainly wasn't perfect in the past, but he should be living a certain way right now (1 Tim.3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Notice this doesn't mean that someone is qualified to be a Pastor if they just got their life together in time for an "election," but this stresses that they have shown a consistency in their present walk with the Lord. Paul's focus is on growth, maturity, and how a man is presently living (consistency in their present Christian walk is the key). This allows for redemption and restoration in the lives of those to be Pastors/Elders who have had problems in their lives where they may have had to step down from the office for a while (which is the goal for all Christians who have stumbled in their walk with the Lord; Gal.6:1-5).

Therefore, Pastors/Elders are to be presently. . .

Blameless (Above reproach) - It comes from the Greek word, ANEPILEMPTON, which means "above reproach." It means to have nothing in one's conduct on which someone could currently ground a charge or accusation. This means that no charge of serious wrong can be sustained against him. Please note that this isn't a "catch all" phrase to be used as an excuse just to get rid of a pastor that you don't like, but it is addressing serious issues that would cause serious doubt about his character. Again, this isn't speaking about a once in a while type of problem or misunderstanding, but a consistent problem that brings discredit upon the Lord, the Church and the office of pastor..

Husband of one wife - It literally means, "one-woman man" (comes from GUNAIKOS "wife or woman" and ANER "husband"). The Greek word for divorce is APOLUO which means "to set free, let go, to send away or dismiss" (Matt.19:9; Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18; 1Cor. 7:11). Paul doesn't use this common word for divorce in this verse which has led to much debate about what he meant by this passage. As a result no one can be dogmatic as to the meaning of this phrase. Since polygamy was still fashionable among the pagans and the Jews (up to the 12th century), some feel that this passage has reference to such practice. Thus, anyone coming out of a pagan culture could not have escaped the pollution in his past. Therefore, the way that Paul phrased the wording of this verse along with the use of the present tense (must be), a Pastor/Elder could have been divorced in his past but matured spiritually since then and therefore could hold the office of Pastor/Elder. We must remember that though divorce is tragic and is not what God intended for man, it isn't the "unpardonable sin" that some try make it. Again, using the present tense in the Greek, this passage could very easily be translated, "presently the husband of one wife." Another major problem arises when you use this passage to permanently disqualify a divorced person from the office of Pastor/Elder, you then would have to permanently disqualify everyone who has ever failed in any of the other qualifications (even only one time) at some time in their Christian past - not to do so is to be inconsistent in how you are handling these Scriptures, without any Scriptural support to do so. This would mean that any Christian who has ever thought a wrong thought, lost their temper, said or did the wrong thing would have to be permanently disqualified from serving as a Pastor/Elder also. Now when we look at what the Bible says about our sin natures, which we retain even after we become Christians (Rom.7:18-19), and are honest about ourselves then it becomes clear that there would be no one who would be qualified to serve as a Pastor/Elder. There was only one perfect person who walked the face of this earth and that was Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Others also believe that this verse prohibits a widowed pastor from remarrying.  [please note that I have never been divorced, so I don't have any agenda here besides trying to understand what God's word teaches and being honest about that whether I like it or not]

Vigilant (Temperate) - It comes from the Greek word, NEPHALION, which means "well balanced." It is someone who avoids extremes in spiritual matters. A Pastor/Elder should be doctrinally sound. This also means that your church better know what it believes (in some detail) or you would not be able to determine if your prospective Pastor is sound or not.

Sober (Prudent, Self-controlled) - From the Greek word, SOPHRONA, which speaks of "discipline" or "self-control." It indicates a person who is serious about spiritual things, and has an appreciation for what really matters in life. Thus, a Pastor/Elder should be someone who has put the Lord first in their lives.

Of Good Behavior (Respectable) - It comes from the Greek word, KOSMIOS, which is a type of person who diligently fulfills his many duties and responsibilities, he must be "well-ordered" in his habits. The opposite of KOSMIOS is CHAOS. Pastor/Elders must not have a chaotic lifestyle. That's because their work involves administration, oversight, scheduling, and establishing priorities. A Pastor/Elder should be organized and have structure to his life.

Given To Hospitality (Hospitable) - Composed of two Greek words, XENOS (stranger) and PHILEO (to love or show affection). It means to "love strangers." His home is open to saved and unsaved alike, and he seeks to be a blessing to all who come beneath his roof. You might say that he is someone "who hasn't ever met a stranger."

Apt To Teach (Able to teach) - Besides the high moral calling, the added qualification above the Deacon, is to be someone who is able to teach (DIDAKTIKON). Teaching is the prime function of the Pastor/Elder. Titus 1:9 really comes down on the fact of the Pastor/Elder's teaching responsibility. "Holding fast the faithful word" which is in accord with "as he hath been taught." Paul uses this phrase to show there was a Package of Truth the Pastor/Elders were responsible for. "that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers " (those who oppose the teaching).  So a Pastor/Elder should know how to handle God's Word properly and know it well enough to teach it to others.

Not given to wine (Not addicted to wine, not given to drunkenness) - It comes from the Greek word, PAROINOS, which means "one who drinks," or "an excessive drinker."  This Greek word refers to one's associations. Such a person doesn't frequent bars, or taverns. Is he known as some who likes to drink?

No Striker (Not pugnacious, not violent) - The Greek word PLEKTES means "violent," "a giver of blows" or "a striker." A Pastor/Elder isn't someone who is quick-tempered and resorts to unnecessary physical violence. Rather than being someone who likes to fight, the Pastor/Elder should be Gentle (not in the KJV, but is found in other Greek Texts) - It comes from the Greek word, EPIEIKES, which means to be "considerate, genial, forbearing, gracious, or gentle." It can also mean "patience" which is the ability to remember good and forget evil. You don't keep a record of wrongs people have committed against you (1 Cor. 13:5).  So a Pastor/Elder should be someone who is doesn't seek to strike out at people, but would is someone who is patient with others even if they are not easy to get along with.

Not A Brawler (Not contentious, not quarrelsome) - It comes from the Greek word, AMACHOS, which refers to not being "quarrelsome." He should not be a person who is contentious and arguing about every little thing. This isn't addressing the issue of giving an account of your faith, or defending the teaching in the Bible; but it is addressing the issue of those individuals who love to argue about everything. Some people love and live to argue, and these individuals would not be suited for the office of Pastor/Elder.

Not Greedy Of Filthy Lucre (Free from the love of money, not a lover of money) - Comes from the Greek word, APHILARGUROS, which is a negation of the Greek words for "love" and "silver." It speaks of someone who doesn't love money. He doesn't pursue his ministry for personal gain. This isn't saying that he doesn't need to be fairly compensated for his work by his church, but rather he isn't someone who is always trying to figure out how to get rich. I'm afraid that some churches try to use this verse to silence a pastor from complaining to them about being underpaid and that is not the context of this verse.

One That Ruleth Well His Own House (Manages his own household, manage his own family well) - The Greek word, PROISTEMI, translated "ruleth" or "manages" which carries the idea "to preside, having authority over, stand before, or manage." He is the manager of his home. This affirms the consistent biblical teaching on male headship in the home. This verse also doesn't mean that his family is perfect, but that he is the one who recognizes his biblical responsibility as the leader of the home and is faithful in carrying out his duties as a husband and father of the home. This verse also isn't saying that he is to be the dictator of the home, but the leader. His leadership should produce "children in subjection with all gravity." Again this doesn't mean that his children are perfect, never act up, or never get into trouble (remember they are still sinners too, and thus have a natural ability to rebel against all authority). But what this is speaking about is there is no doubt in that family who is in control and leading that family. We might say it something like this, "the inmates (children) aren't running the prison (home)" no matter how badly they want to or how hard they try. There is a recognition within that family of who is in charge and of their accountability to him. If a Pastor/Elder has children living in his home who are totally out of control, and he fails to take actions to stop them then he needs not to be in the office of Pastor until that problem is corrected. Note that this verse is speaking about Children living in the Pastor's home, and isn't addressing those adult children living somewhere else (they are totally accountable to God for their own actions).

Not A Novice (Not a new convert, he must not be a recent convert) - The Greek word translated "novice" or "new convert," NEOPHUTOS, means "newly planted."  The idea is that a Pastor/Elder should not be a new convert or newly baptized. The opposite of a new believer is a mature Christian. A Pastor/Elder must be someone who is mature in the faith. It needs to be noted that this isn't speaking about their "earthly age," but their "spiritual age." You can be 70 years old and still be a baby in your faith. A Pastor/Elder needs to be someone who has been a Christian for a while, who has shown growth and maturity in their walk with the Lord. There are a lot of Christians who have been Christians for a long time, but have not made any effort to grow in their walk with the Lord - they remain Novices. So look for a Pastor/Elder who has a hunger for God's Word and who puts God's Word into action in his life.

Moreover He Must Have A Good Report Of Them Which Are Without (Must have a good reputation with those outside the church)- The Greek word translated "good" (KALOS) embraces the ideas of internal and external goodness. A Pastor/Elder must have a good internal character and a good external reputation or testimony. The Greek word translated "report" (MARTUREO) is the word from which we get martyr, but its basic meaning is "a certifying testimony." A Pastor/Elder's character must be certified by the testimony of other people "outside" the church. Again, this doesn't mean that everyone has to like him, because if you preach the gospel you will become an offense to many people who are lost (John 15:20-21; Matt.10:25). But this is speaking in terms of being someone who is doing things that would cause the public to question his faith, his God, or his church. In other words, how he behaves in the church should be the way he consistently behaves in public. He shouldn't be preaching against drinking or pornography, and then he goes out and drinks and spends his time in a pornography store (I used the extreme here to make the point). He shouldn't be preaching "love thy neighbor" and then go out into public and then be constantly raising cane with everyone. To sum this up, a Pastor/Elder should be someone who puts into practice in his daily life what he preaches on Sunday. If he isn't this way, then Satan will expose his flaws to those outside the church in order to bring shame upon him, the Lord, and his church.

Conclusion: What is being stressed in these passages is that when we look for a Pastor/Elder, we should look for men who have these qualities in their lives. And that there is a consistency to their lives, in that these different qualities stands out. These passages do not teach that Pastors are to be perfect in all these areas, because there has only been One Perfect Pastor, and that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What they do teach is that there should be a least evidences that show consistent growth and maturing in these areas in their lives.   These passages also teach us that there can also be restoration to the ministry for those who have demonstrated over a period of time that they have overcome problems in their past and are now walking with the Lord.