Well Thought Of (1 Timothy 3:7)

Moreover, he mut be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)

At last we have reached our final qualification for the one who aspires to the office of overseer. In addition to being the husband of one wife, Christlike in character, able to teach, managing his own household well, and spiritually mature, he must be well thought of by outsiders.

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders…

Literally, this verse reads “noble testimony.” If we grabbed a random character witness to testify about you, would their testimony be good or bad? Not someone from inside the church, but a non-Christian outsider who sees you in daily life. 

You might be wondering why it matters what outsider think of you. Afterall, didn’t Jesus tell us to expect hatred from the world? Let’s read on.

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace…

Like in verse six, the danger is described as falling abruptly into something unintended. In verse six, it was the condemnation of the devil. In verse seven it is disgrace, which is described as “a snare of the devil.”

The word translated disgrace means reproach from others. Although it is not the same word as used in verse two, it still bookends this section beautifully. This word emphasizes the evidence of wrong seen by others. As one writer put it, it’s “the ongoing evidence about people that attaches to them in the form of reputation.”

Over time, as people outside the church see your behaviors, their opinion of your character forms. They don’t know your heart, but they see your marriage, your social media posts, your physical fitness, your yard, your way with people, your relationship with alcohol and money, your response in heated interactions, your household, your parenting, etc. All of this evidence forms your reputation.

An unqualified pastor can fall into a bad reputation. The devil loves this. He sets a thousand traps for it every day. And like a hungry hunter who finally catches his prey, he celebrates every pastor who falls into public disgrace due to sin or folly.

We have an example in the headlines in the last few days. Tony Evens has stepped down from his pastorate due to some undisclosed sin. Publicly, this throws his whole ministry into question. His sermons and books and study Bible and everything else is tainted by disgrace.

And so we conclude our slow study of 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the passage is wrapped up neatly with the ideas of nobility and reproach. May we be men of noble character, teaching, household, maturity, and reputation so that we do not fall into the devil’s snares.