“If any be Blameless” (Titus 1.6)

Introduction:

In Cameroon, there is phrase which congregations often hear from the mouth of their pastors, “Do not as I do, but do as I say.” These pastors may have a manner of living that is reprehensible, but they escape blame by telling their flock to separate what they hear from what they see in his life. While it is true that the word of God will always be “quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4.12), it is also apparent that this same sword teaches that the life of a pastor and his message are indivisible.[1] God’s Word requires that a pastor [2] must be an example in his way of life not only in his words. He must be blameless in his personal conduct. He must have a good testimony from those who are outside the church.

I.  “Be thou an example” (1 Tim 4.12).

Paul did not hesitate to present himself as an example to believers: “I beseech you, be ye followers of me“(1 Cor 4.16).  “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”(1 Cor 11.1). “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Phil 3.17). “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do” (Phil 4.9). “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you” (2 Th 3.7). “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God . . . by pureness”(2 Cor 6.4,6). Paul was not the only one called to be this example. Timothy was exhorted to be an example to believers: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4.12). Paul also encouraged Titus to be an example in his works and his teaching,  “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works”(Ti 2.6-8). “The author to the Hebrews also underlined the importance of following the faith of those who ruled over them, “considering the end of their conversation” (Heb 4.7). Peter also exhorted pastors to “Feed the flock of God . . . being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet 5.2,4). Every pastor must consider his own life in light of these passages. We must be examples; our lives must reflect what we preach.

Why must we be models? In 2 Corinthians 6.3, the Apostle Paul states that he did not want to give offence in any thing, “that the ministry be not blamed.” Imagine the implications for his ministry if he had fallen into moral sin. In Titus 2.6-8, Titus was to be a model so “that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say” of him.  Timothy also was to be an example in order that no one would “despise his youth” (1 Tim 4.12). The pastor must have a good report of those on the outside, “lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Tim 3.7).  As ministers of the gospel we are inherently examples to others. Preachers who are no longer examples bring reproach upon the ministry and, as Augustine states, “in despising the preacher they learn to despise the word that is preached.”[3]

II. “A Bishop must then be blameless” 1 Tim 3.2.

In the two passages which specifically treat the qualification of pastors, (1 Tim 3.1-7; Ti 1.5-9), Paul underscored three times the importance of a pastor’s testimony by using two different Greek words: ???????????? (1 Timothy 3.2) and ?????????? (2x in Ti 1.6-7).  These two words were translated into one English word: “blameless.” In both passages, this qualification is at the first of the list. God’s placement of this requirement indicates its importance in His eyes and should, therefore, also be regarded as such by all who aspire to the office and by those who are already fulfilling it.

         A. Blameless, ????????????

The first word, ????????????, is found two other times in the New Testament (1 Tim 5.7, “blameless” ; 6.14, “unrebukeable”). In 1 Timothy 6.14, it occurs alongside a synonym (???????), meaning “without spot.” This synonym occurs three other times in the New Testament. In James 1.27 it is translated “unspotted” and in 1 Peter 1.19 and 2 Peter 3.14 it is translated again “without spot.”

A study of the root words of ???????????? is enlightening. They are the negative particle “??” the preposition “???”,  and the verb “???????.” The Greek word containing the preposition and verb is ??????????, and is found 19 times in our New Testaments. It has the idea of physically grasping with the hands: “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him” (Matt 14.31). This word is also used in a figurative sense as in taking hold of someone words. The chief priests and scribes sent forth spies who tried to “take hold of his words.” (Luke 20.20). But they could not “take hold of his words” (epilabesthai autou rheœmatos)before the people.” (Lu 20.26). Placing the negative particle in front of this word gives the idea of not being able to grasp or lay hold of someone or something. Applying this to the pastor, we see that it is necessary for his lifestyle and character to be such that no one could grab hold of or find a handle in his present or past life. He must be blameless, without spot in the eyes of those who approve him.

B. Blameless, ??????????

 Another Greek word, ??????????, is used twice in Titus 1.6-7. Its double occurrence indicates the importance of the testimony of the pastor. This word is found three other times in the New Testament: 1 Cor 1.8, Col 1.22; 1 Tim 3.10.  It has the idea of a person who is “unaccused . . . he must have nothing laid to his charge”.[4] In Colossians 1.22 the word is translated “unreproveable” and occurs with two other words “holy and unblameable.” This demonstrates a link between holiness and being blameless. Hiebert remarks that the elder “must be a man about whose past or present accusations are not being circulated.”[5]

In Titus 1.7, the phrase, “a bishop must be blameless” is immediately followed by the phrase “as the steward of God” where God is placed first for emphasis (theou oikonomon). This gives the reason why he must be an example to others. As the steward of God he belongs to God and is His representative. He is sent by God and is entrusted with responsibilities that come from God. All he does is from God, whether he preaches the words of God or gives the counsels of God, he is God’s representative.[6] Paul states also that “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor 4.2). Such a steward must properly reflect his God not only in character but also in his actions. In addition to using the image of a steward of God, Paul also uses the figure of a minister of God. In an extended passage (2 Cor. 6.4-11), Paul demonstrates how he and his companions were “in all things approving” themselves “as ministers of God” (again placing God first for emphasis —theou diakonoi). Because he was God’s servant he was compelled to demonstrate that his service was from God, through God and for God. He gave this proof in order that “the ministry be not blamed” (2 Cor 6.3). A consciousness that his actions were under scrutiny pervades Paul’s epistles. He considered it essential for all ministers to have this same consciousness so as to not bring reproach or blame on the ministry.

III. “He must have a good report of them which are without (1 Tim 3.7)”

In the lists of qualifications for a pastor, Paul underlines another essential aspect of one’s testimony: the opinion of those who are on the outside. It is interesting that God does not want only the perspective of those in the church to establish the testimony of a pastor. It is necessary to also look to those who are on the outside. “His character and reputation must be such that ‘those without’ generally will give him a ‘good testimony,’ speak favorably of him as to his truthfulness, integrity, and purity.”[7] God arranged the list of qualifications so they began with the requirement to be blameless and with this last qualification we see that it also ends with this idea in mind. This further demonstrates the vital importance of the pastor’s testimony.

In determining what would disqualify a pastor from his position, we must keep to the forefront those sins which would cause him to be no longer blameless. We must, therefore, look especially at sexual sins which are set apart in God’s word as particularly affecting one testimony. No other sin can have an effect on one’s testimony like the sin of adultery. Proverbs 6.32-33 state clearly that, “whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” Paul states that sexual sins should not even once be named among Christians, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Eph. 5.3). This indicates the seriousness of this sin in the eyes of God.

Immediately following the requirement to be blameless in 1 Timothy 3.2 comes the phrase “the husband of one wife.”[8] The phrase could be translated “a one woman man.” The pastor must only have one woman in his life; to have another disqualifies him. The position of this qualification is also important. It suggests an immediate application of the principle of being blameless.[9]

The consequences associated with adultery and fornication indicate that not only the present life of individual is affected but also his future. Take, for example, the kings David and Solomon.[10] David sinned and even continued to exercise his office as a king, but God left David’s sin in His word to serve as an example and warning to others: “Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” ( I Ki 15.5). Solomon also is mentioned in Nehemiah 13.26, “ Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.”

IV. “Lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor 9.27

Is it possible for a pastor to be disqualified from the ministry? Paul would say yes if we look at 1 Corinthians 9.27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” The word “castaway” is the word adokimos and has the idea of something that is rejected after being inspected.[11] As this cannot refer to the salvation of an individual, Paul must be speaking of his own ministry. In the context the only persons who can do the rejecting are those to whom he has preached. Also, when looking at the qualifications in 1 Timothy and Titus, one must ask the question: why do these qualifications exist if some cannot be disqualified?

What is the response of the church to those who have fallen into immorality? Today there are three reactions: (1) immediate restoration, (2) restoration after probation, and (3) disqualification.[12] To arrive at a biblical conclusion, one must ask certain questions of the pastor who has fallen. Can he still be an example in purity? Is he blameless? Can he have a good testimony of those who are without? For sexual sins one must categorically say no! John MacArthur makes the following commentary regarding the position of his church in this area.[13]

 I have received inquiries from other churches wondering if our church has written guidelines or a workbook for restoring fallen pastors to their pulpits. We have to tell people we do not have any such thing because we believe the Bible clearly teaches that once a man fails in the area of sexual morality, he is unqualified for pastoral ministry any longer. . . . . God’s standard cannot be lowered for the sake of sympathy. It does not need to be, because we can be loving, forgiving, gracious, merciful, and kind without compromising what God says about the character of the men He wants leading His church. All battles for the integrity of Scripture are ultimately in vain if the church’s preachers are corrupt and the sheep no longer follow their shepherds as models of holiness. The church must have leaders who are above reproach. Anything less is an abomination to God and spells disaster for the life of the church.

The pastor as the servant of God and steward of God must walk in a manner worthy of his calling. If he has fallen morally he is no longer a model, he is not blameless, he is no longer a one-woman man and he no longer has a good testimony from those who are without. His public service is therefore ended.[14] This does not mean that his service as a Christian has also ended. No, he will continue to use his gifts as every Christian is called upon to use his gifts and talents for the edifying of the body of Christ. A fallen minister, while no longer in the public ministry, should continue to seek out ways to help believers grow and unbelievers come to Christ. Regretfully, it can no longer be in the position of a pastor or elder in the church.

Conclusion:

The second chapter of 1 Thessalonians gives us a positive example of our subject. Paul states that his ministry among them was not in vain (v. 1). Why? Because his life and that of his fellow workers was exemplary, it was consistent with their preaching. Their preaching “was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile” (v. 3). They spoke “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” (v. 4) God was their witness that they did not use flattering words nor did they use a cloak of covetousness (v. 5). They did not seek the glory of men but were gentle among them (v.6-7). They were willing to impart not only the gospel of God but also their own souls for the Thessalonians (v. 8). They labored night and day so as to not be a burden financially on them (v. 9). Paul said directly that the Thessalonians were “witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe (v. 10).  The result of their blameless ministry: the Thessalonians received the word of God “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (v. 13). When our lives, as servants of God, are blameless, and when we are examples to the flock, we can have the confidence that our word will not be rejected or despised, but received as it is in truth, the word of God. May the Lord help us each to remain faithful to our calling and to be examples to those who are seeking the reality of our message.