Desire the Office, Or Don’t Serve in the Office - 1 Timothy 1-3

 1 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

In chapter three of this letter the Apostle Paul is telling young pastor Timothy (and us) what the qualifications are for a “bishop” of the church.  (The terms “bishop, elder and pastor” all seem to be used interchangeable through the N.T.).   This would be important to Timothy as the church he served (the church in Ephesus) would be growing and the care for the Body having more and more demand.   Paul outlines several qualifications for this role.  But, the first qualification is a person must “aspire” for the role.  The word for “aspire” is defined by Vine as follows:

(Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) orego (ὀρέγομαι, 3713), “to stretch after,” is rendered “covet after” in 1 Tim. 6:10, KJV; RV. “reaching after.” See desire, reach.

Note the other two times it is used in the N.T.:

1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV) - Here is it translated “cravings:”

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Hebrews 11:16 (ESV) - Here it is translated “desire:”

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

There are certainly individuals in the church who do NOT aspire to be the Bishop, Elder or Pastor of the Body of Christ.   But, if someone is put into that role is is not because they were voted in they day they missed the congregational meeting.   This is not a “I-will-do-it-if-no-one-else-will” moment.  This is not done in compulsory.  This is a genuine desire of the heart to want to fulfill the role.

This is also not a selfish desire.  This is not for power or claim and/or fame.  This is for the purpose of serving the Body.  The person who has this desire should ALREADY being doing the role, to some extent, but without the title.  This is not a role of “title” it is a role of “responsibility.”   This is not a place for zeal, but service.   

God uses mankind to lead mankind.  We ought not to take that lightly.  We are to aspire to service in any fashion God wants.   But, we are not to do so without a heart’s desire to fulfill the task.