He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (1 Tim. 3:7)
Expanded Passage: 1 Timothy 3:6-10
The preacher had two lives. He’d been a star pastor and holiness evangelist whose ministry had impacted many for Christ, not least the youth who grew up to tell me the tale. But when that influential minister was hospitalized, not one but two wives showed up—each of them a secret to the other. It came to light that the preacher had two different families in separate towns.
Sadly, his hypocrisy isn’t unusual. Scandals involving clergy, Christian celebrity speakers and singers, evangelical university and seminary personnel, and other church and parachurch leaders make the news often, whether due to adultery, substance abuse, misuse of funds, harassment and exploitation of women and minors, or other abuses of power. Paul stressed that Christian leaders must be free from these sins lest they destroy the church’s reputation in the eyes of the watching world and make the gospel’s claims ring hollow.
As safeguards, Paul called for time (1 Tim. 3:6) and testing (1 Tim. 3:10) rather than rushing anyone into leadership. He also left a checklist of character traits that leaders should possess that go far beyond superficial charm, impressive stage presence, or fabulous fundraising skills. Lastly, Paul insisted on accountability to fellow leaders and the whole church (1 Tim. 5:19–20). As he wrote elsewhere, transparency—not cover-up—befits children of light (Eph. 5:8–13).
Commit to accountability in your church and in your own life.
Jerome Van Kuiken is professor of Christian thought at Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OK) and author of The Creed We Need (Amazon) and The Judas We Never Knew (Seedbed).
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
