Therefore, it is necessary the bishop is blameless, a one-woman man, temperate, sober minded, respectful, hospitable, able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2).
As the shepherd of an assembly, the character requirements for a pastor are clearly laid out in Scripture. He must be above reproach—exhibiting a high moral character that is not open to blame or legitimate accusation. This is not merely one who appears to be upright outwardly while behaving in a despicable manner in private, thereby giving rise to valid concerns quietly expressed by those who interact with him personally. Rather, this is a man who lives according to his identity in Christ, manifesting genuine moral integrity as he seeks to do good—not before men, but before God.
A one-woman man is a man who has only one wife. This requirement does not restrict a pastor from having multiple wives throughout his lifetime; he is to have only one wife at a time. This is not a justification for divorce and remarriage, for such actions would be contrary to loving the saints and to the standard by which a Christian is to live. The only exception would be if the wife were an unbeliever and chose to leave. In such cases, the man is not bound to the marriage and is therefore free to marry another—only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:15).
Temperate is characterized by moderation, developing from the concept of mixing in proportion. He is a man who consistently exercises moderation, self-control, and balance in thought, behavior, habits, and speech. He avoids extremes—whether in emotions, appetites, or opinions—and is guided by reason rather than impulse or excess.
Sober-minded refers to one who possesses a saved frame of mind. The boundaries he places around his thinking—pertaining to how he perceives reality and understands his identity—are governed by salvation. As a result, he is of sound mind and demonstrates sensible judgment. He is mentally whole, maintaining inward rational, ethical, and spiritual integrity.
Respectful describes a man who is orderly and well-behaved, underscoring the necessity of internal character manifesting in external behavior that is both socially and morally upright. It also pertains to how a man dresses, and thus, how he presents himself in public (1 Timothy 2:9). While this does not mandate the wearing of a suit, the way a pastor dresses reflects not only his attitude toward others, but also his regard for the position he holds.
One who is hospitable is fond of strangers. As fellow saints, we are all to show hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). One who is a pastor is to have a hospitable character, showing fondness for strangers while speaking the truth in love.
He must also be able to teach—not merely offering a feel-good or be-good message, but possessing a moral and spiritual disposition to instruct others patiently and skillfully in the truth, especially concerning the Christian life.