Titus 1:7

‘For the overseer (bishop) must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre,’

The natural significance of these words is that an overseer (bishop) and an elder are equivalent. There would thus be a number of ‘bishops’ in each city. The need for blamelessness is repeated but this time not with regard to their home life, but with regard to their business life. They must be blameless as God’s stewards (God’s household managers) with regard to their own lives if they are also to be over the household of God. Those who cannot use their time and money wisely in their own environment, are no fitted to be elders of the church. By describing the overseer as God's steward, Paul brings to mind the picture of the church as God's household (compare 1Ti 3:5 ; 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:20-21; Ephesians 2:19-22). In the secular household the steward had the responsibility of managing his master's affairs. The church leader must also be one who can responsibly see to managing his Master’s affairs by his oversight of the church. This will require dedication and faithfulness (Luke 12:35-37; Luke 12:42-43; 1 Corinthians 4:2-5). They must thus not be headstrong, (self-pleasing, obstinate, inconsiderate, self-willed, having no thought for others), they must not be easily irritated, (hot headed or choleric, or a nurser of anger), not be always ready for a fight or an argument, not be of unseemly behaviour (behaving like one given to strong drink), not be violent or a browbeater, not be greedy for money obtained in an underhand way.