13 Bible Verses about Bishops, Qualifications

This is a true saying: If any desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach, not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means; but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;read more.
one that rules his own house well; having his children in subjection with all gravity: for if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? Not a new convert, lest, having become conceited, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Further, he must have a good reputation from those who are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

The elders that are among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed. Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind: neither as being lords over God's possessions, but being examples to the flock.read more.
And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive the crown of glory that fades not away.

I left you in Crete for this purpose, that you might set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I commanded you: if any one is blameless, the husband of one wife, if he has faithful children that are not accused of riotous living, or disobedient. For the bishop must be blame less, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means;read more.
but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the sure word as it is taught, that he may be able, by sound teaching, both to exhort and to convince the opposers.

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

Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, that you be shepherds to the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that, after my departure, rapacious wolves will enter in among you, who will not spare the flock; and men will arise from among yourselves, speaking perverse things, that they may draw off disciples after them.read more.
Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by day and by night, I ceased not to warn every one of you with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace; to Him who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified.

Now we beseech you, brethren, to have regard for those who labor among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and that you esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for that would be fatal to you.

The elders that are among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed. Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind: neither as being lords over God's possessions, but being examples to the flock.

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

if any one is blameless, the husband of one wife, if he has faithful children that are not accused of riotous living, or disobedient.

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: attentively consider the result of their conduct, and imitate their faith.

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been resolved on by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, that they might keep them.

Is any one among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick; and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.