3. WHAT HE MUST BE a. Hospitable. This come from the word “philo” which is one of the Greek words for love and “xenon” which means stranger. Peter says that Christians ought to “show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” The author of Hebrews says to, “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” All Christians are to show hospitality so an elder, as a leader, must do so likewise. Hospitality takes on all kinds of forms. However, a man who hates strangers is not qualified to be an elder. b. Lover of good. An elder must be a philoxenon and a philagathon or a lover of good. Chrisitans are to “abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” We are to “test everything; hold fast what is good.” An overseer must defend and uphold everything that God’s word says is good and to fight, silence, and tear down all that is evil. An elder who ignores or, heaven forbid, indulges evil does not love good. c. Self-controlled. This means having control over the mind, which inevitably leads to actions. But it starts with the mind. A Christian is to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5). If a man is not actively seeking to take his thoughts captive but allows them to run evil and sin he is not qualified to be an overseer. If he can’t control himself then how can he lead the way in destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God? d. Upright. This is connected to equity and justice as defined by God’s word. An elder must not show favoritism in the way he acts. James gives us a great example of when a man with a gold ring and fine clothes walks in to the assembly he is given a place of honor while the person in shabby clothes is dishonored. An upright elder would not make such distinctions. He must act rightly toward people without partiality. e. Holy. Or a holy one. This is the same word that is found in the book of Acts when Psalm 16:10 is quoted. “For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.” In the book of Psalms the holy one is Jesus. Since “holy one” is applied to the overseers it speaks of how their lives are separated from the world. They ought to be different from world leaders. They have devoted themselves completed to God. The men that Titus is to appoint are to be holy ones. f. Disciplined. Literally, this means in strength or master of. A man that is to be considered an overseer must be a man that has the strength to control his actions. A man that is weak and allows his desires to control him is not fit for the role of an elder. He must be able to “deny himself and take up his cross daily,” and follow Jesus. If a man is unwilling or lacks the strength to control his actions and deny himself, he is disqualified.