13 Bible Verses about Bishops, Qualifications

This is a faithful saying, "If any man is seeking the office of a minister he is aspiring to a noble task." The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching; no drinker or brawler; but forbearing, peaceable, and no money-lover;read more.
he should be a man who rules his own household well, and keeps his children ever under control and thoroughly well behaved. For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he take charge of a church of God? He must not be a recent convert, lest he be blinded with pride, and incur the doom of the devil. He should also have a good reputation among outsiders, lest he fall into reproach, and into a snare of the devil.

Now to you who are presbyters I make this appeal; for I am myself a presbyter, and was a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed. Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind; not by way of lording it over your heritage, but by becoming examples to the flock.read more.
Then, when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you too will receive the fadeless wreath of glory.

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you might set right the things left unfinished, and appoint presbyters in every city as I had instructed you; men who are blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children who are not accused of riot or insubordination. For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre;read more.
but he must be hospitable, a lover of the good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled. He must hold to the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage by sound teaching, and to confute our opponents.

It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock; and that from among your own number, men will arise, perverting the truth, to draw away the disciples after them.read more.
So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears. "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated.

I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel. Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.

Now to you who are presbyters I make this appeal; for I am myself a presbyter, and was a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed. Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind; not by way of lording it over your heritage, but by becoming examples to the flock.

Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching.

men who are blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children who are not accused of riot or insubordination.

Remember your leaders, the men who spoke the message of God to you; consider the issue of their lives, and imitate their faith.

And as they went on their way through the cities they handed them the resolutions which the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem had ordained for them to keep.

Is any in good spirits? Let him sing unto his harp. Is any one of you ill? Let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will restore the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.