13 Bible Verses about Bishops, Qualifications

Faithful is the saying, "If anyone desires the office of bishop, he covets a noble work." It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach, not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,read more.
presiding well over his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity (but, if one knows not how to preside over his own house, how will he take care of an assembly of God?); not a novice; lest, being puffed up, he fall into condemnation of the Devil. And it is needful also that he have an honorable testimony from those without, lest he fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.

The elders, therefore, I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of Christ's sufferings, also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed; feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the allotted charges, but becoming examples to the flock;read more.
and, when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, ye will obtain the unfading crown of glory.

For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; if anyone is blameless, a husband of one wife, having believing children not in accusation of rioting, or unruly. For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain;read more.
but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, temperate; holding fast the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the healthful doctrine, and to convict those who contradict.

And He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that, after my departure, grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.read more.
Wherefore, watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one with tears. "And now I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all the sanctified.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Obey those who are your leaders, and submit to them; for they watch in behalf of your souls, as those who are to give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with sighing; for this would be unprofitable for you.

The elders, therefore, I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of Christ's sufferings, also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed; feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the allotted charges, but becoming examples to the flock;

Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

if anyone is blameless, a husband of one wife, having believing children not in accusation of rioting, or unruly.

Remember those who are your leaders, who spake to you the word of God; and, considering the issue of whose manner of life, imitate their faith.

And, as they were journeying through the cities, they were delivering to them the decrees to keep, that had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.

Is anyone among you sick? let him call for the elders of the assembly; and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and, if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.