The New Testament highlights special attributes designed for mature people. These figure prominently in the qualifications for elder and deacons. Yet, some of these terms are used in a a vaiety of other places in the New Testament. Whether or not anyone aspires to leadership in these official roles, it is important for all mature Christians to grow in character in a manner fitting for their age and maturity.
This list consists of positive attributes and negative prohibitions. Cited references are generally limited to the pastoral epistles (1, 2 Timothy and Titus) with some exceptions.
Now the overseer must be above reproach ... (1 Timothy 3:2 ).
Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame (1 Timothy 5:7 ).
In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you [14] to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:13-14).
Now the overseer must be ... temperate (1 Timothy 3:2).
In the same way, their wives are to be ... temperate (1 Timothy 3:11)
Teach the older men to be temperate ... (Titus 2:2).
Now the overseer must be ... self-controlled (1 Timothy 3:2 )
Rather he must be ... self-controlled (Titus 1:8 )
Teach the older men to be ... self-controlled (Titus 2:2)
Then they can train the younger women ...to be self-controlled (Titus 2:4-5).
Now the overseer must be ... respectable (1 Timothy 3:2).
I also want women to dress modestly, with decency ... (1 Timothy 2:9).
Now the overseer must be ... hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2).
... he must be hospitable (Titus 1:8).
Now the overseer must be ... able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2).
And the Lord's servant must be ... able to teach (2 Timothy 2:24).
... (not violent but) gentle (1 Timothy 3:3 )
Remind the people to be (peaceable and) considerate (Titus 3:1)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Philippians 4:5)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is... (then peace-loving,) considerate ... (James 3:17).
He must manage his own family well (1 Timothy 3:4)
A deacon must ... manage his children and his household (1 Timothy 3:12)
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well ... (1 Timothy 5:17)
... so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good (Titus 3:8)
... devote themselves to doing what is good ... (Titus 3:14)
... if it is leadership, let him govern diligently (Romans 12:8)
... who are over you in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
He must also have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7).
Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect ... (1 Timothy 3:8)
In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, ... Teach the older men to be ... worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:11-12).
Finally, brothers, ... whatever is noble... --think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Deacons, likewise, are to be ... sincere ... (1 Timothy 3:8 ).
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5)
holding on to ... a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:19).
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience (1 Timothy 3:9)
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience ... (2 Timothy 1:3)
"My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day (Acts 23:1)
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man (Acts 24:16)
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way (Hebrews 13:18)
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander (1 Peter 3:16)
... but the pledge of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21).
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord .. that he considered me faithful (1 Timothy 1:12).
... their wives are to be ... trustworthy in everything (1 Timothy 3:11)
... entrust to reliable men ... (2 Timothy 2:2)
Who then is the faithful and wise servant ... (Matthew 24:45)
"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (Matthew 25:21 )
The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? (Luke 12:42)
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?" (Luke 16:10-12)
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
... if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons (1 Timothy 3:10).
An elder must be blameless (Titus 1:6)
... so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8).
... without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22).
... one who loves what is good ... (Titus 1:8)
Rather he must be ... upright (Titus 1:8).
Rather he must be ... holy (Titus 1:8)
Rather he must be ... disciplined (Titus 1:8)
Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith (Titus 1:13)
Teach the older men to be ... sound in faith (Titus 2:2).
Teach the older men to be ... sound in endurance (Titus 2:2).
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue ... endurance (1 Timothy 6:11)
You, however, know all about my ... endurance (2 Timothy 3:10)
Teach the older men to be ... sound ... in endurance (Titus 2:2)
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop (Luke 8:15).
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:3-4)
not given to drunkenness (1 Timothy 3:3)
Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, ... (1 Timothy 3:8)
... not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain (Titus 1:7)
not violent but gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)
... not violent (Titus 1:7)
... not quarrelsome (1 Timothy 3:3)
to be peaceable (Titus 3:1).
... not a lover of money (1 Timothy 3:3)
Keep your lives free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5)
Deacons ... not pursuing dishonest gain (1 Timothy 3:8).
... not pursuing dishonest gain (Titus 1:7).
not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything (1 Timothy 3:11).
... not to be slanderers (Titus 2:3)
he must be blameless--not overbearing (Titus 1:7)
he must be blameless--... not quick-tempered ... (Titus 1:7).
English Scripture taken from the New International Version, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. All rights reserved.