The responsibilities of elders are varied, but have an overarching sense of care, work, help and leadership in the church. When writing to Timothy about elders, Paul used the expression ‘take care of the church of God’ (1 Timothy 3:5); when writing to the Thessalonians he said, ‘we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you’. The word ‘admonish’ means ‘putting sense into the heads of people’ (Robertson’s Word Pictures).
How is the elder to do these things? What resources does he possess and what authority does he have to use them?
It is significant that the only functional qualification for an elder in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 is that he must be ‘able to teach.’ Because the Word of God is the elder’s resource, he needs the ability to teach the scriptures to the church. Believers’ spiritual needs can only be met by the Word of God. The parallel passage in Titus also emphasises the requirement for elders to teach.
Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict (Titus 1:9).
Sound
The word ‘sound’ means healthy (our word ‘hygienic’ comes from it). Only the Word of God produces spiritually healthy Christians. When writing to Titus, Paul was careful to ensure he knew the difference between the wholesome Word of God and ‘Jewish fables and commandments of men’ (1:14). Elders should be teaching the Word of God in order to enhance the spiritual wellbeing of the church.
Doctrine
Doctrine means ‘teaching,’ and includes both the doctrinal and practical sections of scripture. In New Testament times many Christians were illiterate slaves or people with no education, yet Paul wrote the substantial first eleven chapters of Romans before he reached the practical matters of chapter 12 onwards. The doctrinal was just as important as the practical. Without doctrine, we build our life and life choices on a foundation of sand. However, for elders to communicate sound doctrine they must first of all learn it.
Exhort
This literally means ‘to call near/encourage.’ There are two possible options: to urge to obedience and change, or to encourage and comfort. Paul uses the same word in 2 Timothy 4:2, where, after urging Timothy to preach the word, he adds, ‘convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.’
The elder holds fast to the Word. He must himself be captivated by the truth and then encourage others to share the experience of learning and living God’s Word.
Other words are used to describe the elder’s use of this singular resource.
Persuasion (Acts 2:14; 14:22; Titus 1:9).
Pleading (2 Corinthians 8:17).
Comfort (1 Thessalonians 2:11).
Patient reiterating of important doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2).
"It is significant that the only functional qualification for an elder in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 is that he must be ‘able to teach.’"
Although an elder must be able to teach, the role is not simply that of a public speaker or lecturer but rather a shepherd feeding his flock. Despite explicitly appearing only twice in Paul’s epistles, the shepherd metaphor is implicit in the qualifications for elders (1 Timothy and Titus). It would be a mistake to assume that shepherding is limited to areas of pastoral care such as visitation and personal counselling, though these are critical ministries. The predominate responsibility of the elder is to feed the flock of God by providing nourishment through the truths of scripture.
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:28-29).
A bishop [overseer] then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2).
Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict (Titus 1:9).
The shepherd does more than set God’s word before the church. He should be a living example of all he teaches so that the church will have confidence to follow him and his instruction. Following a shepherd requires trust on the part of the sheep. The flock must know that their shepherds are not only teaching biblical truth but also being personally affected by it. The Lord Jesus is the great example.
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers (John 10:3-5).
