The following is a list of the biblical qualifications that an elder must possess. No elder will be a perfect man, but if he is clearly and persistently lacking in any of these qualities, he cannot serve in the church as an elder. An elder must be:

1.  Above reproach (lit. “blameless”) 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7.
   This qualification is the summation of all of the rest. It means that there is nothing in his life that would justify a legitimate accusation of misconduct or call his character into question.
2. The husband of one wife (lit. “a one-woman man”) 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6.
   He must be faithfully devoted to his wife (Eph. 5:25; 1 Pet. 3:7).
3. Temperate (moderate, not given to excess) 1 Tim. 3:2.
   In all areas of life, an elder must be calm, well-balanced, careful, and sane—one who at all times is capable of clear thinking and sound judgment.
4. Sober-minded (a sensible, serious person) 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8.
   He leads a disciplined life, not allowing frivolous activities to distract him from more serious and important concerns.
5. Of good behavior (respectable, orderly) 1 Tim. 3:2.
   The opposite of the Greek in this case is chaos (utter confusion). An elder’s outward behavior must demonstrate decency, orderliness, and self-control.
6. Hospitable (lit. “one who loves strangers”) 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8.
   An elder must be one who shows genuine kindness and hospitality to all.
7. A lover of what is good (lit. “one who is inclined to do good”) Titus 1:8.
   Closely related to hospitality, an elder must be one who not only loves the concept of goodness, but also is prone to doing good to others.
8. Able to teach (lit. “skilled in teaching”) 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9.
   There is no biblical requirement that an elder have a formal education, but he must be an able teacher and defender of the truth (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2, 24; 2:15; Titus 2:7-8).
9. Not given to wine (lit. “not a drinker” or “not addicted to wine”) 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7.
   Though not an absolute prohibition, this is a serious warning that an elder cannot be preoccupied with alcohol or known as a drinker.
10. Not violent (lit. not “a giver of blows,” or “a striker”) 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7.
    An elder must be a man who solves problems and settles disputes using persuasive words and calm demeanor without resorting to violence.
11. Gentle (patient, gracious, forgiving) 1 Tim. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:24.
    An elder must not be a man who holds a grudge or is slow to forgive. He must be one who will patiently bear with those who are needy, difficult, reluctant to change, or slow to learn.
12. Not quick-tempered (he must be slow to anger) Titus 1:7; Jam. 1:19-20
    Anger in itself is not always a sin. There is a righteous sort of anger. An elder, though, must be a man who recognizes and controls his own propensity to become angry.
13. Not quarrelsome (not argumentative) 1 Tim. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Jam. 3:13-18
    He must be a man who will defend the truth strongly, but in a peaceable manner—not allowing himself to become embroiled in hostile disputes or petty arguments.
14. Just (righteous or upright) Titus 1:8.
    He is a man who is known for doing what is right. He lives a life of practical righteousness, trying to reflect God’s view in every decision he makes.
15. Holy (lit. “devout” or “set apart to God”) Titus 1:8.
    An elder must be firmly committed to God and His Word. He must be faithful to the ministry and to biblical doctrine, not one who gives in to social, political, or religious pressure to compromise.
16. Self-controlled (or self-disciplined) Titus 1:8.
    He must be a man who is disciplined in terms of his response to physical desires for food, pleasure, comfort, money, sleep, sex, or anything else which could cause him to stumble.
17. Not covetous (not a lover of money) 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2.
    An elder cannot be motivated in the ministry by financial gain or greedy in his lifestyle. He is a man who will trust the Lord, be content with what is provided, and be thankful.
18. One who rules his own house well (a good manager and leader) 
1 Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6.
    An elder must have proven himself a good manager of his children, his personal finances, and his household in general.
19. Having his children in submission with all reverence (having obedient, 
respectful, faithful children) 1 Tim. 3:4-5; Titus 1:6.
    The children of an elder must not have a reputation for uncontrolled behavior or insubordination. Additionally, an elder must not be a harsh or brutal man, but must maintain order in his family through loving leadership and consistent biblical training.
20. Not a novice (not a new or immature believer) 1 Tim. 3:6.
    An elder must be a mature believer. If even a capable man is elevated to the position too rapidly, he will battle with pride.
21. He must have a good testimony among those who are outside 
(well respected even by unbelievers in the community) 1 Tim. 3:7.
    An elder must have a consistently good testimony in all places and with all people (aside from those who would persecute him or accuse him falsely), even outside the church. He must be just, honest, peaceable, and loving in every context.
22. He must serve, not by compulsion, but willingly . . . eagerly 
(he must desire to serve) 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Tim. 3:1.
    Elders must not be pressured into service if it is not their personal desire to serve in this capacity. An elder’s desire to serve must be God-given and his motives pure.
23. Not self-willed (not anxious to control others or get his way) Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:3.
    An elder must not be a man who is anxious to dominate or control others. He must be a team-player, realizing that while he is a shepherd, he is also one of the sheep.
24. An example to the flock 1 Pet. 5:3; Titus 2:7.
    An elder will not be perfect, but he must be a man who will lead the church, by instruction and example, according to God’s Word.