31 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! 2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, 3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. 4 He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:1-4
Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:1-7
(Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7)
If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as can be, lest he bring reproach upon his office. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together in Scripture, they assist one the other. The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils. He must be of good repute among his neighbours, and under no reproach from his former life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Matthew 28:20. And he will fit his ministers for their work, and carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.