Rounding Third and Heading for Home2 Timothy 4:7As I mulled over what to write about a pastor who is entering the winter of his ministry, it occurred to me that I ought to somehow look the future rather than the past. Then, as I chewed on that possibility, another question surfaced: Just what would I wish for him? Or how might I best pray for him? That in turn led me to Paul, the great apostle.

Masters Men: LeadershipBiblical Leadership TraitsTested1 Timothy 3:8 DefinitionsNAU 1 Timothy 3:10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach BGT 1 Timothy 3:10 καὶ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον, εἶτα διακονείτωσ&...

Masters Men: LeadershipBiblical Leadership TraitsNot Double Tongued1 Timothy 3:8 DefinitionsNAU 1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,BGT 1 Timothy 3:8 Διακόνους ὡσαύτως σεμνούς, μὴ διλόγους, μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας, μὴ αἰσχροκερδεῖς,The derivation of this term is = dij twice plus the verb legw = to say or speak or the noun logoj = word. This is the only NT use. Note the LXX at Prov 11...

Masters Men: LeadershipBiblical Leadership TraitsMan of Dignity1 Timothy 3:8 DefinitionsNAU 1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,BGT 1 Timothy 3:8 Διακόνους ὡσαύτως σεμνούς, μὴ διλόγους, μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας, μὴ αἰσχροκερδεῖς,We saw in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 that if a man has children, they must be “with all dignity” NAS = σεμνότης). This too is variously translated and can be confusing –...

Masters Men: LeadershipBiblical Leadership TraitsHolding the Faith1 Timothy 3:9  DefinitionNAU 1 Timothy 3:9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.BGT 1 Timothy 3:9 ἔχοντας τὸ μυστήριον τῆς πίστεως ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει.Grammatically, the phr...

Masters Men: LeadershipBiblical Leadership TraitsSelf-ControlledTitus 1:8 DefinitionNAU Titus 1:8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,BGT Titus 1:8 ἀλλὰ φιλόξενον φιλάγαθον σώφρονα δίκαιον ὅσιον ἐγκρατῆNote that the KJV is “temperate” while the ESV, NIV are “disciplined”. The term (ἐγκρατής) comes from the preposition “in” (en) and the noun “strength” or “power” (kratoj). The basic meaning of “power in” is more readily rendered to “hold in”...

Masters Men: LeadershipBiblical Leadership TraitsDevoutTitus 1:8 DefinitionNAU Titus 1:8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,BGT Titus 1:8 ἀλλὰ φιλόξενον φιλάγαθον σώφρονα δίκαιον ὅσιον ἐγκρατIn Titus 1:8 this term (ὅσι&...