1st Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
This passage of scripture outlines in great detail the duties and responsibilities of a bishop, one to whom has been entrusted the care and spiritual nurture of the flock of God. A bishop must be the husband of one "Female" wife, and we are obliged to stress the word female because of the great departure from the scriptural stipulations that have now been instituted. The family forms the foundation of any society, and thus it is important for a bishop to represent in his personal life, the ideal which God has clearly stated. Another reason why the Bible says that a bishop should be married is because of the many temptations that are incident to his office.
The human heart longs for companionship, and if a person is not in a stable relationship with one member of the opposite sex, the door is open for a million and one temptations to come his way, to try to seduce the minister of God into moral depravity, a situation that satan takes special delight in, for people generally do not rise any higher than their leaders, and when a prominent minister falls, it then causes those under his care to become severely discouraged and disoriented.
But there are more responsibilities which devolve upon the shoulders of a bishop, for the Bible clearly states that he must never be driven by a desire for money, a situation which often causes ministers to water down the truth in order to please the itching ears of congregants who take pleasure in unrighteousness. Here is the root cause why so many prominent ministers and bishops in our day have become filthy rich, because they are found to be teaching the people pleasing fables which do not call for reform and permanent change, and doctrines which focus heavily on the here and now, such as the health/ wealth doctrine that has become so popular in our day. This current state of religious affairs was predicted not only by Christ, but also by many of the Bible characters, prophets, and writers, who observed the tendency in many professed Christians and followers of Christ, to desire smooth sermons which do not disturb the carnal conscience, and which do not interfere with their pet sins. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: 9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
Another requirement and responsibility of a bishop is that he must rule his own household well, having his children walking in line with the sacred truths that are entrusted to him. The children of a bishop are living testimonies to what takes place in the home, and therefore if his offspring are seen to be wanton, rebellious, and godless in their dispositions, this is usually a clear indication of both the teachings and practice of the home over which the bishop has jurisdiction. The sons of Eli did great harm to both the name and the cause of God in the earth, and this was a direct reflection of the timid and spineless character of their father, who was apparently afraid to correct them when they did wrong. If a bishop harbors this same attitude he will also be afraid to call sin by its right name, lest his membership become deeply offended and consequently withdraw both their affections and their financial support from him.
But bishops and ministers should always keep in mind that they are first accountable to God and then to man, and therefore no amount of favoritism or popularity should cause them to be silent when grave sins and departures from righteousness are being committed in the land. In situations where the membership together with the secular multitudes are clamoring for evil, the faithful minister will not cower in fear, nor be intimated by threats of abandonment, neither will he be bullied or applauded into teaching smooth things when The God of heaven is calling for repentance change and reformation. The attitude and duties of a true bishop are clearly outlined in the scriptures, and wherever moral abandon is gaining ground, and taking deep root with the masses of people, bishops and ministers alike are required to step up to the plate by calling for repentance and change where necessary. Let's read:
Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God" ...
In our day there are thousands of prominent bishops and ministers of the gospel who are spread out across the land, and God is now calling upon them to speak the word in season and out of season, with no regards whatsoever to those whose toes might be stepped on, or whether their so-called popularity with the main-stream media and the multitudes will wane. Death before dishonor should be the motto of every true bishop, and if any have not the moral courage to stand firmly for the right in the face of fierce opposition to the contrary, then they should hand in their baton and relinquish their credentials as a minister of the gospel of God's grace, if the power of God which has given to them is not employed in proactive ways to restrain the tide of evil.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages all ministers and bishops to be faithful to the call of duty, and God who sees their struggles privately, will reward and vindicate them openly. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!