A Blameless Congregation (1 Timothy 3:1–2a)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Ephesians 1:3–4).

What God in Christ has saved us for is the local church’s constant pursuit: to be Christlike and thus blameless like and before him. As Paul writes,

This blamelessness is both the individual Christian’s and the corporate church’s passion and pursuit, flowing from love for the triune God who has saved us from our sins and from his wrath, reconciling us to himself through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This corporate pursuit of blamelessness is a major reason for God’s requirement that those who serve the church as elders and deacons be blameless. As the household of God, each of us—both leaders and those they lead—are to aspire to being blameless as we await the consummation of our salvation, as John reminds us (1 John 3:3).

This brings us to examine the spiritual character of the maturing Christian.

The Legitimate Application of This Text

We must first ask whether it is legitimate to apply this passage more broadly. After all, 1 Timothy 3 speaks directly to the appointment of elders (vv. 1–7) and deacons (vv. 8–13). Local churches must certainly heed these qualifications when considering appointments to these offices. Yet, by legitimate extrapolation, these texts apply to every believing member of the local church.

Consider where elders and deacons come from. Ideally, they are not imported but rather home-grown. They are not special members but rather members who have taken seriously the means of grace and have grown in spiritual maturity.

It is essential to grasp that, except for two requirements—Spirit-given aspiration (see Acts 20:28) and Spirit-given skill in teaching—the majority of these qualities are matters of character, specifically spiritual character. They represent not selection (desire for the office of overseer) or skill (able to teach) but the fruit of the Spirit.

Since every Christian and, presumably, every church member has the Spirit of God, we should expect each church member to exhibit his work in their lives. Don Carson observed that the remarkable thing about these characteristics is that they are not remarkable. Apart from the two exceptions mentioned, these qualities are expected of every Christian. What Christian would not desire and be determined to possess such character? This is precisely why we should desire such leadership—Christlike leadership leading us to Christ, resulting in us becoming more like him and displaying these qualities. As Peter instructs, elders should “not [domineer] over those in your charge, but [be] examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Each member should desire to be characterised by these qualities so that we might shepherd and disciple others towards such character.

The Foundation of Christian Character

A good, noble, honourable, commendable, and virtuous vocation requires good, noble, and honourable character. Church leaders are called to live beautifully, thereby inspiring others to embrace what is excellent—Christ himself. Paul demonstrates this principle when he writes: lBe imitators of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16) and, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

While the emphasis is on leadership, this principle applies to the entire family. Parents are to be examples precisely so their conduct will be copied by the household. Similarly, as we see in v. 14 and following into chapter 5, the church family and household is to be pursuing Christlikeness in how we behave and conduct ourselves. This is our calling, as Paul describes in Ephesians 4:1–16, applying to both men and women.

Above Reproach: The Fundamental Requirement

The fundamental requirement is to be above reproach. This is the most important quality of all, and all other qualities must be interpreted in light of blamelessness. Notice that the list begins and ends with this requirement (see v. 10). This is the one concept that governs all qualities, and what follows are several ways in which this blamelessness is manifested.

The word means “cannot be laid hold of.” Accusations don’t stick. One is not found to be wrong when censured. Accusations prove groundless. It describes a life that provides no opening for slander, a life without blame when viewed in light of the whole picture. We can summarise it simply as a life that is blameless.

The word does not claim sinless perfection but denotes a life in which no legitimate charge can be sustained. It describes a life characterised by the pursuit of sinlessness and thus holiness, as John writes: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). You cannot have much of an impact if people are questioning your integrity.

This blamelessness is required in at least three areas.

First, blamelessness is necessary before the Lord (Colossians 1:21–23). Our first priority is to be right with God, regardless of what anyone else does. This aligns with numerous passages (e.g. Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13; Philippians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 1:7–8; 2 Peter 3:14).

Second, blamelessness is necessary before Christians (1 Thessalonians 2:10). We should maintain a good testimony before the people of God. Romans 14 addresses Christian relationships, emphasising that we must be blameless to be effective, as Paul writes elsewhere: “For we aim at what is honourable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man” (2 Corinthians 8:21).

Third, blamelessness is necessary before the world (Philippians 2:14–16). You will constantly face opposition from the world, so ensure that any accusations levelled against you are false and that your conscience is clear. Opposition should be for your beliefs, not your bad behaviour. Peter instructs:

Again,

Examples of this principle include our Lord Jesus Christ, against whom false witnesses were sought (Matthew 26:59–61) and who was challenged about his authority (John 2:18–20), and Stephen, who faced false accusations (Acts 6:9–15).

Summary and Application

This passage and this particular summary requirement establishes a baseline for every believer, for every self-professing disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every disciple is called to consistency. Each disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, each church member, is called to a life so consistent with Christ that critics are silenced. This is not an optional spiritual luxury but a spiritual norm. Paul makes this clear when he writes: “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:11–12). Similarly, regarding widows, “Command this as well, so that they may be without reproach” (1 Timothy 5:7).

John reinforces this calling:

When properly manifested, this list of qualities will cause such a radical difference in your life that it will be an unmistakable testimony to the lost world of the grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blamelessness is both individual and corporate. This pursuit is not merely our individual responsibility but our corporate calling. Paul’s prayers and exhortations consistently reflect this (Philippians 1:9–11; 2:14–15; Colossians 1:21–22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23).

But is this merely wishful thinking? Hardly, for Jude 24 provides an inspired promise: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.”

This verse provides the encouraging promise that, one day, each Christian and the corporate local church will be presented blameless before the Lord in fulfilment of Christ’s promise, God’s purpose, and our pursuit. This requires honesty, confession, accountability, commitment to repentance and restoration—both forgiving and being forgiven.

Spiritual maturity is a lifelong process. The man or woman of God is made through a lifetime process. There is no such thing as instant spirituality, and there should never be an end to your spiritual growth.

Jesus is our example and encouragement. Jesus is both our ultimate example and our ultimate encouragement. As the writer to the Hebrews reminds us, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is committed to enabling us to overcome sin as we race towards blamelessness.

The key to maturing spiritual character lies in our relationship to the gospel.

First, we need to be saved by the gospel. We must repent of our sins against a holy God, realising we can do nothing to merit either forgiveness or reconciliation to him. We must then lay hold of Jesus Christ, trusting him as our sin-bearer who died under the wrath of holy God in the place of repentant sinners and rose from the dead to secure our eternal forgiveness.

Having believed this gospel, we must keep believing this gospel. We must continue repenting, continue accepting, and continue trusting Jesus to transform us into his image.

When every member pursues this blameless living, we will be a church above reproach, to the glory of God.

AMEN