13 Bible Verses about Bishops, Qualifications

Faithful is the saying, If any man aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, without wine, serious minded, disciplined, loving strangers, able to teach, no drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, but meek, noncontentious, no lover of money,read more.
a man who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all propriety (but if any man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of a congregation of God?), not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the devil. And he must also have good testimony from those outside, lest he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you: Tend ye the flock of God among you, watching over, not by obligation, but willingly, nor greedily, but readily, nor as domineering over the lots, but becoming examples of the flock.read more.
And when the chief Shepherd is made known, ye will receive the unfading crown of glory.

I left thee behind in Crete on account of this: That thou should set in order the things lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded thee, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children, not with an accusation of debauchery or insubordinate. For the overseer must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not prone to angry, not a drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain,read more.
but a lover of strangers, a lover of good, serious minded, just, devout, self-controlled, holding firm the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may also be able to exhort by the sound doctrine, and to correct those who contradict.

And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you guardians, to tend the church of the Lord and God, which he purchased by his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from you yourselves men will rise up, speaking distorted things, to draw away the disciples after them.read more.
Therefore watch ye, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease warning each one with tears. And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.

And we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, and who lead you in Lord, and who admonish you, and to esteem them with exceptional love because of their work. Live peaceably among yourselves.

Have confidence in those who lead you, and yield yourselves, for they watch for your souls as men who will render account, so that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this is unprofitable for you.

I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you: Tend ye the flock of God among you, watching over, not by obligation, but willingly, nor greedily, but readily, nor as domineering over the lots, but becoming examples of the flock.

Let the elders who rule well be regarded worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children, not with an accusation of debauchery or insubordinate.

Remember those who lead you, men who spoke the word of God to you, of whom, carefully observing the outcome of their conduct, imitate the faith--

And as they were going through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.

Is any man weak among you? Let him summon the elders of the congregation, and let them pray near him, having anointed him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will rescue him who is depressed, and the Lord will rouse him. And if he should be a man who has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.