Titus 1:7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Original Language Analysis
δεῖ
must
G1163
δεῖ
must
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
1 of 19
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπίσκοπον
a bishop
G1985
ἐπίσκοπον
a bishop
Strong's:
G1985
Word #:
4 of 19
a superintendent, i.e., christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively)
ἀνέγκλητον
blameless
G410
ἀνέγκλητον
blameless
Strong's:
G410
Word #:
5 of 19
unaccused, i.e., (by implication) irreproachable
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
7 of 19
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
οἰκονόμον
the steward
G3623
οἰκονόμον
the steward
Strong's:
G3623
Word #:
9 of 19
a house-distributor (i.e., manager), or overseer, i.e., an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preach
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
10 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
12 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
14 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
16 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Cross References
2 Peter 2:10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.Ephesians 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;1 Peter 5:2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;Luke 12:42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.Isaiah 28:7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.Proverbs 14:17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.Proverbs 15:18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.Ezekiel 44:21Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.
Historical Context
Ancient Crete's cultural context included honor-shame dynamics, wine's central role in social life, and widespread financial corruption. Christian leaders had to transcend these cultural patterns. The specification against drunkenness and violence suggests these were particular temptations in Cretan culture (cf. 1:12's "slow bellies").
Questions for Reflection
- Do you serve as a faithful steward aware of ultimate accountability to God, or do you treat ministry as personal kingdom-building?
- Which of these five vices—arrogance, anger, alcohol abuse, violence, or greed—represents your greatest temptation?
- How does your church screen potential leaders for these character qualities versus mere giftedness or popularity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God—ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos, overseer/bishop) is synonymous with πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros, elder) in Titus 1:5-7 and Acts 20:17, 28. Biblical polity knows two offices: elders/overseers and deacons. οἰκονόμος θεοῦ (oikonomos theou, God's steward) stresses accountability; elders manage the Master's household and will give account (Hebrews 13:17).
Five negative qualifications follow: not selfwilled (μὴ αὐθάδη, mē authadē—arrogant, self-pleasing), not soon angry (μὴ ὀργίλον, mē orgilon—quick-tempered), not given to wine (μὴ πάροινον, mē paroinon—addicted to wine), no striker (μὴ πλήκτην, mē plēktēn—physically violent), not given to filthy lucre (μὴ αἰσχροκερδῆ, mē aischrokerdē—greedy for dishonest gain). These vices destroy trust and disqualify from leadership.