The Respectable Man

Text: "Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach," (I Timothy 3:2, NIV).

A.   What does it mean to be "respectable" as stated in 1 Timothy 3:2?

1. The Greek word translated as "respectable" is kosmios (κοσμιος).It is used only two times in the New Testament: I Timothy 2:9; 3:2.

2. The word kosmios is an adjective which is derived from the primary sense of the word kosmos (κοσμος) which means "ornament."

3. Respectability is therefore ornamental or attractive in nature. The respectability of a man draws others to himself.

4. Kosmios is defined as:

- "orderly, that is, decorous: - of good behaviour, modest" (Strongs).

- "well arranged, seemly, modest: of a man living with decorum, a well-ordered life" (Thayer).

- "orderly, modest," is translated "orderly" inI Timothy 3:2, RV, for AV, "of good behavior" (Vines).

5. The opposite of kosmios is ataktos (ἄτακτος) which means "disorderly, out of ranks, irregular, inordinate, immoderate pleasures, deviating from the prescribed order or rule" (Thayer). It is translated in the KJV as "unruly" in I Thessalonians 5:14 and "disorderly" in II Thessalonians 3:6, 7 & 11.

6. A respectable man is therefore not "disorderly, out of ranks, deviating from the prescribed order or rule." He is neither "unruly" nor does he present himself in a "disorderly" manner!

7. According to Richard C. Trent in his book Synonyms of the New Testament, the word kosmios was "...applied to the citizen who is quiet in the land, who duly fulfils in his place and order the duties which are incumbent on him as such... The well ordering is not of dress and demeanour only, but of the inner life; uttering indeed and expressing itself in the outward conversation."

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B. Context: Does biblical respectability only apply to those who are overseers?

1. Respectability is applicable to believers in general but especially to men! Here are 3 reasons:

(a)  The word translated as "overseer" comes from the Greek word επìσκοπος (episkopos) which means "to watch over."

• It is used five times in the Bible.
• επìσκοπος (episkopos) is derived from: επì (epi) + σκοπος (skopos)
• επì (epi) is a preposition meaning "superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.)" (Strongs).
• σκοπος (skopos) means "to scope, peer, watch" as a sentry (Strongs).
• επìσκοπος (episkopos) is used once in reference to believers:"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers..." (Acts 20:28, NIV)
• Hence, every believer is called to "watch over" himself and "all the flock" as an overseer appointed by the Holy Spirit.

(b)  Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:1: "Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task."

• The use of "whosoever" in 1 Timothy 3:1 shows that any and all men can aspire to be overseers.
• The desire to lead is noble one that all men should aim towards.

(c)  A man's God given role consists of three main tasks: leadership, protection and provision. In this context he is the overseer of his family!

2. Respectability is therefore a standard that is applicable to all men in the Church. All men are to aim for an orderly inner life that will positively affect his outer deportment.