Titus 1:6-7 - Homilies By T. Croskery.

The character of bishops—their negative qualifications.

The apostle first mentions their qualifications in a moral point of view before he speaks of their duties as teachers.

I. BLAMELESSNESS . The minister must be one against whom no charge can be brought. His name must be spotless ( 1 Corinthians 1:8 ; Colossians 1:22 ). The Church must be able to respect him.

1. Because he must be an example to the believers.

2. Because he could not otherwise consistently check or reprove the blameworthy ways of others. ( Titus 1:13 .) Christian life in Crete was unsound both as to morals and doctrine.

3. Because as " a steward of God " he has grave responsibilities, both to God and to the flock. He must be both wise and faithful in relation to the "house of God … the Church of the living God" ( 1 Timothy 3:15 ), which is entrusted to his keeping.

II. THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE . His family relationships are of much moment, for polygamy was the established rule of heathenism.

1. This passage does not make the marriage of ministers compulsory, as it is in the case of priests in the Greek Church.

2. It is totally inconsistent with the principle of the celibacy of ministers in the Church of Rome.

3. It does not prevent the second marriage of a minister, which is sanctioned by Scripture. ( Romans 7:1 ; l Corinthians Romans 7:8 , Romans 7:9 , 39.)

4. It simply condemns polygamy.

III. THE CONDUCT OF HIS CHILDREN . "Having believing children, who are not accused of riot or unruly."

1. The bishop will be judged by his family life. The family is the nursery of the Church, and these two societies act and react upon each other reciprocally, so that a bad or weak or injudicious father can never be an efficient or respected minister. If he cannot rule his children, how can he rule the Church of God ( 1 Timothy 3:5 )?

2. His children ought to be :

IV. NOT SELF - WILLED . The elder ought not to cherish:

1. A self-loving spirit, which leads to the disregard of the rights, or claims, or feelings of others.

2. A haughty and imperious temper. One who is both obstinate and proud can have no influence over his flock, tie ought to be humble, easy to be entreated, able to rule his own spirit, and considerate to others.

V. NOT SOON ANGRY .

1. He ought to have a temper not quickly provoked by contradiction or evil-speaking. Many tongues will be busy with him, as many eyes will be watchfully turned upon his walk.

2. He ought to remember the temper of his Master, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again." He ought to be "slow to wrath," and imitate the Divine long-suffering and patience.

VI. NO BRAWLER . The word suggests the conduct of one insolent through wine, quarrelsome and furious. The minister must not only abstain from drunkenness, but avoid the passionate folly of men carried away by this sin.

VII. NO STRIKER . He must never lift his hand against his fellows.

1. He is the peacemaker of his parish.

2. How can he restrain the violence of others if he cannot hold his own hands?

VIII. NOT GIVEN TO FILTHY LUCRE .

1. Covetousness is idolatry in a minister as well as in the members of his flock. It implies the existence of a divided heart.

2. An avaricious temper is condemned by the example of Christ, who, "though he was rich, became poor" to make many rich.

3. It is a peculiarly heinous sin to make a gain of godliness.

4. A covetous minister will seek his own things, not the things of Jesus Christ.— T.C.