Today’s Bible Reading:
2 Kings 6-7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: Service
SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 3:1
Here is a trustworthy
saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
(1 Tim 3:1 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Leadership is not for everyone; not everyone is gifted for
leadership; not everyone is called to a position of leadership. It is true to say, however, that those who do aspire to leadership in Christ’s Church are
desiring to take on a virtuous vocation. Note that Paul is not saying that the
person who desires leadership is noble, but that the position of leadership is
noble. In the original Greek, the word Paul uses for “overseer” is episkopees. Unlike
the gift of leadership, proistamenos, a
more general term for leadership (Romans
12:8), episkopees denotes leadership
specifically in the Christian church such as the office of a bishop or, other
designated positions of oversight in the church.
APPLICATION:
There are some roles in life that individuals are gifted for
by our Creator. There are some roles that Christ clearly calls some people to
fulfill. As noted above, Paul does not state in this passage that those who are
“called” to leadership in the Church desire a noble task, but rather he who “sets his heart on being an overseer” desires
a noble task. The language here seems
to be an extolling of the leadership positions
in the Church rather than necessarily a revering of the persons who take those roles. So it isn’t wanting to be a leader that is noble, it is the role itself that is
a noble task. In my opinion, to take such a leadership position in Christ’s
Church, one should not just personally want the responsibility, but should clearly
know that Christ has called them to pursue the role.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You that Your plan for individual lives is not
hidden, but that You make known Your calling to us when we seek You to reveal
it to us. We know that not every step on the path may be revealed, but as we
step forth in the direction of Your choosing for us, thank You for graciously
continuing to light the way as we pursue Your calling.
By the word of the Father, the presence of the Son, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Amen. -AP
By the word of the Father, the presence of the Son, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Amen. -AP
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