The Grands Letter (1 Tim/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on September 2, 2025 6:13 am (CST)Dear Grands,
1 Timothy 3:1-10, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”
As a youth, did you ever receive a reprimand for doing something wrong? Did that reprimand come from someone who “manages his own household well” and keeps his own children under control? The Apostle Paul requires that those who are leaders within the church and who oversee others must themselves be above reproach.
As one who derives authority from the LORD, he must be above reproach in his marriage, in his home, and in his work, both secular and spiritual. He must be a man of faith and peace. It might well be said that a man must be a “Christian man’s man,” and a true and faithful man of confidence!
A man need not be a deacon in the church, but he must be a Christian man’s man! Such is honorable to the LORD and patterns the way for others in the faith.
Heartily in Christ,
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
“We will never know that Christ is all we need
Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom
