Note 1 at 1 Tim. 3:1: Paul now continues his instructions about the church and moves from the congregation (see note 1 at 1 Tim. 2:1, p. 1272) to the role of the elders. This subject is of such importance that Paul speaks of it twice in his epistles (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1). The church can only rise to the quality of its leaders. Jesus said, "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher" (Lk. 6:40, NIV).

Note 2 at 1 Tim. 3:1: Obviously, the pastorate is not something that is for everyone. Paul says that desiring this office is a good thing. It is not only a matter of a person waiting on a call from God, but one can aspire to this position. However, this does not mean that just anyone who desires it can obtain this office.

In a large company there may be many managers who are capable of being the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.). There can be only one C.E.O. If the C.E.O. position is vacated, then one of the managers can apply for that position. He would then be evaluated on his abilities and experience. An entry level worker would seldom be considered for the position.

Likewise, in the local church, many who are in leadership roles are capable of pastoring, but there can only be one senior pastor. However, in the absence of the senior pastor, someone who is called to the ministry, has been proven by experience, and has the standard of character outlined in these requirements, can desire this office. There can only be one person ordained and sanctioned by God for the senior pastor position.

Note 3 at 1 Tim. 3:1: The English word "bishop" was translated from the Greek word EPISKOPOS which means, "a superintendent, i.e. a Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church" (Strong). This Greek word was only used five times in scripture. Three of those five times it was translated "bishop" (1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:25). Once it was translated "bishops" (Phil. 1:1). And once it was translated "overseers" (Acts 20:28). This is referring to the person in the position of highest authority in the local church or what we would refer to as the pastor.

In Paul's instructions to Titus about ordaining elders (Ti. 1:5-7), Paul calls the bishops elders (cp. v. 5 with v. 7). This has led some to think bishops and elders are synonymous terms, but that's not so. All bishops are elders, but not all elders are bishops.

The word elders originally came from a term denoting old age, but it came to designate leaders in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, regardless of their ages. Therefore, an elder is a leader of the church. Deacons are leaders and therefore elders, but deacons are not bishops or overseers or the "C.E.O." of the local church. That position belongs to the pastor or what Paul is calling the bishop in this passage.

Some denominations designate a bishop as an individual who oversees many local churches. That would place the bishop in the position of what the scriptures call an apostle. However, Paul's instructions in Titus 1:5-7 about ordaining bishops in every city would discourage this type of interpretation unless you believe every local church is supposed to have a resident apostle. Most people would not agree with that.

It wasn't until the fourth century A.D. that the church began using buildings for their gatherings. Prior to that time they met in homes. Therefore, in a city like Ephesus (see note 3 at Acts 18:19, p. 683), which could have had as many as 100,000 believers meeting in homes (see note 3 at 1 Tim. 1:3, p. 1263), the bishop could be referring to the overseer of a small group or the overseer of thousands in these small house churches. Timothy would have been at the top of this chain of command or the principle bishop who was responsible for all the other bishops.