Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
The second trustworthy saying of the pastoral epistles highlights the pastoral office. Whether called "overseer," "elder," or "pastor," this God-given office is given the important task of proclaiming the Gospel publicly and administering the Sacraments in accordance with Christ’s institution. A man who desires this task desires a good thing, though he must desire it for Christ’s glory and not his own. God equips those men He calls into this office with His gifts; most of the qualifications listed deal with the man’s character. He is to be above reproach, an overarching term that covers the rest. Though this does not mean the pastor is sinless, it does mean that others should not be able to make the charge of a life of sin stick. Both pastors and congregations should approach this qualification, along with the rest, with humility and prayer in considering which men are ordained as pastors in the church. The goal is always the building up of Christ’s church and the proclamation of His Gospel to all.
“The Word is Trustworthy” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the three pastoral epistles: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. These three letters are named after their recipients, two young pastors in the Christian Church. St. Paul gives instruction to these two men concerning the doctrine and life of the congregations where they are given to serve. In these epistles, the Apostle teaches both pastors and congregations of all times and places that the sound doctrine from God’s Word is faithful to save sinners in Christ Jesus.
