In the Bible, the distinction is made between a shepherd and a hired hand (John 10:11-15). A shepherd (elder) has in his heart a God-given love for the sheep and a desire to care for those entrusted to him. The hired hand is unwilling to become as emotionally involved.

The following is a list of the biblical qualifications that an elder must possess. No elder will be a perfect man, but if he is clearly and persistently lacking in any of these qualities, he cannot serve in the church as an elder. An elder must be:

 1. above reproach (lit. “blameless”) 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7.

This qualification is the summation of all of the rest. It means that there is nothing in his life that would justify a legitimate accusation of misconduct or call his character into question.

2. the husband of one wife (lit. “a one-woman man”) 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6.

Whether a man is single or married, he must be living a sexually pure life. For a married elder, it also means that he must be faithfully devoted to loving his wife (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7).

3. temperate (moderate, not given to excess) 1 Timothy 3:2.

In all areas of life, an elder must be calm, well-balanced, careful, and sane—one who at all times is capable of clear thinking and sound judgment.

4. sober-minded (a sensible, serious person) 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8.

This does not mean that an elder may not laugh or joke or play. It means he leads a disciplined life, not allowing frivolous activities to distract him from more serious and important concerns.

5. of good behavior (respectable, orderly) 1 Timothy 3:2.

The opposite of the Greek in this case is chaos (utter confusion). An elder’s outward behavior must demonstrate decency, orderliness, and self-control.

6. hospitable (lit. “one who loves strangers”) 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8.

An elder must be one who shows genuine kindness and hospitality, not only to the members of his church, but also to people he does not know well.

7. a lover of what is good (lit. “one who is inclined to do good”) Titus 1:8.

Closely related to hospitality, an elder must be one who not only loves the concept of goodness, but also is prone to doing good to others.

8. able to teach (lit. “skilled in teaching”) 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9.

There is no biblical requirement that an elder have a formal education, but he must be an able teacher and defender of the truth (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2, 24; 2:15; Titus 2:7-8).

9. not given to wine (lit. “not a drinker” or “not addicted to wine”) 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7.

Though not an absolute prohibition, this is a serious warning that an elder cannot be preoccupied with alcohol or known as a drinker. Due to abuse, however, it may be advisable for elders to abstain from alcohol altogether in order to avoid offense or damaging influence (cf. Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8).

10.not violent (lit. not “a giver of blows,” or “a striker”) 1Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7.

An elder must be a man who solves problems and settles disputes peacefully, using persuasive words and calm demeanor, not his fists or other weapons.

11. gentle (patient, gracious, forgiving) 1 Timothy 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:24.

An elder must not be a man who holds a grudge or is slow to forgive. He must be one who will patiently bear with those who are needy, difficult, reluctant to change, or slow to learn.

12. not quick-tempered (he must be slow to anger) Titus 1:7; James 1:19-20

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