Office of Overseer

by Hugh DeLong

Text: I Timothy 3

“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do” (I Timothy 3:1).

There are several important words to identify:

Office:

The word does not primarily mean office in the sense of a position or title. It means the function of oversight — the act of attentive watching and responsible care. English translations that render it as "office" convey a more institutional flavor than the Greek does.

Overseer:

Interestingly, this comes from the same root word as above: one who looks after, a watchman. What they 'watch' are people.

"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" (I Peter 5:1-3).

Work:

“Work, deed, task, labor – something done and not merely held. Yet Paul adds ‘good – that which is fitting and admirable. ' "

Aspire and Desire:

Actually, there are two words here:

• To aspire is to extend oneself toward an object, a directional word of movement towards a goal.
• To desire is to have an inner passion to reach the goal aspired to.

What we experience is that there simply are not many men who aspire to or desire this kind of work. Men, are you one of the Lord’s disciples who desires this work?