Aspirations – 1 Timothy 3:1

Chuck Northrop

Aspirations often give meaning to life. They are the hope of tomorrow and the purpose for living. Men have all types of aspirations. Some are political, others are career oriented, and still others are centered upon financial gains. Sadly, it appears some people have no aspirations. They seem to take life as it comes. However, the aspiration of Christians ought to be different from the world. Hopefully, each Christian desires to be more Christlike by knowing and living according to the will of God. Such a person aspires to have a life centered in the spiritual and eternal rather than the material and temporal. 

Please consider an aspiration Paul wrote concerning in 1 Timothy 3:1 which says, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” It ought to be obvious not every Christian should aspire to become a bishop. Examples include women and single men (as was Paul). However, every Christian should aspire to have some of the qualities and characteristics of a bishop. Being blameless, vigilant, sober, and of good behavior have tremendous benefits, and every sober-minded person understands we reap what we sow. In addition, consider the virtue of being “apt to teach.” Every Christian (to one degree or another) should aspire to communicate the precious gospel of Christ to our fellow man (see 2 Timothy 2:24). All of us should be like the sower who sows the seed of the kingdom of God.

Though the aspiration found in this “faithful saying” concerns the brother in Christ who desires the work of a bishop, there are applications within it for every child of God. It is an assuredly true statement for all saints to possess many of the attributes which should characterize an elder of the Lord’s church. Let us, therefore, aspire to such lofty heights.