Qualifications of Elders

^OVERSEER

^{1. Above reproach}

^{2. The husband of one wife.} 

^{3. sober-minded}

^{4. Self controlled}

^{5. Respectable}

^{6. Hospitable}

^{7. Able to teach}

^{8. Not a drunkard}

^{9. Not violent}

^{10. Gentle}

^{11. Not quarrelsome}

^{12. Not a lover of money}

^{13. Must manage his own household well}

^{14. Children are submissive and not rebellious.}

^{15 Not a recent convert (not puffed up)}

^{16. Have a good reputation with unbelievers}

DEACONS
1. Dignified
2. Not double-tongued. (two faced) They don't say one thing and do another.

3. Not addicted to much wine
4. Not greedy for gain.

5. Having a clear conscience. (no unconfessed or hidden sin)
6. Tested first
7. Found to be blameless.
8. Their wives must be believers and mature in the Lord!
9. The husband of one wife. (How does the Word describe a husband?)
10. Managing their own children and households well.



WIVES OF DEACONS
1. Dignified
2. Not slanderers
3. Sober- minded
4. Faithful in all things

¹The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ²Therefore an overseermust be  above reproach, the husband of one wife,  (their marriage and family life is important to God) sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? ⁶He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

 ⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. ( I have a feeling that this is broader than financial...how about emotional gain, power, or control?) ⁹They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ¹¹