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"Not given to wine, not violent..."

Text: 1 Timothy 3:3

NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST

This list is by no means exhaustive. This approach was very much adopted by King David. In Psalm 15 he describes the character of the person who desires to be in the Presence of the Lord. In Psalm 101 he describes the people whom he would choose to serve with him. Having a good character is a “must!”

EXPANDING THE LIST OF QUALITIES

It is right that the apostle expands the list of qualities that a bishop must possess and exhibit in his life.

“Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.”

1 Timothy 3:3

1. We have a series of what the bishop must not be:

a) “Not given to wine”

i) Drunkenness must not be associated with the bishop.

ii) He must guard his reputation most carefully.

b) “Not violent”

i) This includes domestic violence.

ii) He must not be associated with violent, abusive and bullying behaviour.

c) “Not greedy for money”

i) He must not be money-minded.

ii) He must not be avaricious.

d) “Not quarrelsome”

i) He must not be “war-like”.

ii) He must not be inclined to finding fault with people.

e) “Not covetous”

i) He must not be a lover of money.

ii) He must not covet money because he has a love for it.

2. We have a simple but apt contrast

a) The contrast is highlighted by the strong use of the adversative conjunction (Greek “alla”).

b) “Gentle”

i) Instead of having a loud and abusive behaviour.

ii) He is forbearing, considerate and very gracious.