A GOOD WORK. 1Timothy 3:1. A person’s occupation is usually what they are most known for. Some will say, “I am a fisherman;” others might say, “I am a schoolteacher,” or a farmer, nurse, housewife, doctor, or another career that shows their commitment and interest in their life. The work of an overseer is truly a work of dedication and concern for the well-being of the Lord’s people. The word “office” can be a bit misleading because it may seem like a job someone is voted into.
It truly represents a specific “work,” as in the occupation a man is involved in. The work of supervising God's people can be quite discouraging at times. Many misunderstand the bishop's interest as interference rather than genuine concern. It is not a job most people would choose. But the Spirit of God makes it clear: the office of a bishop is a “good work.” It is not a title given to someone because of a position others assign; it is “good work.” It is not a role he claims for himself; it is a “good work.”
“Bishop” is best understood as “overseer,” implying responsibility for a work that is ongoing rather than a position he holds. The word associated with an overseer suggests a person who visits [Mat.25:36; Acts 15:36; Jas.1:27]. Two other times, this original word is used to indicate “looking diligently” [Heb.12:15] and “taking the oversight” [1Pe.5:2]. To sum up, the work of bishops is to have the care of a shepherd for the Lord’s people. The word “bishop” refers to the nature of his work, and the word “elder” indicates the necessary qualifications for it.
When the desire for this work resides in a man of God's heart, it is placed there by the Holy Spirit. He instills a burden for the Lord’s people, the sheep, into the mind and heart of the shepherd. He longs for their growth, for their spiritual lives to be effective, and for their love to be evident; he seeks proof of Christian development. He dedicates himself to meeting the needs of those he cares for. He ensures they know he cares about them. He prays over those God has entrusted to him. He makes their concerns his own. Part of his role is to be able to empathize with those under his care. He can relate to their heartaches when faced with situations beyond their control. He recognizes their pain when unexpected calamities affect their families. Whether the problems in the lives of the sheep under his care are financial, spiritual, or emotional, the bishop (overseer) is equipped and willing to step into their shoes and respond to their needs.
His joy is to see their souls prosper because the work he is involved in is “a good work.” He recognizes God’s hand in his work because it is “a good work.” He understands that the privilege of this work has been given to him by God and is a “good work.” In the beginning, God Himself examined His work and called it a “good work.” When God completed His work and watched over its function, He declared it was “good.” The same is true for the overseer today; his work for God and His people is a “good work.” These brethren have “the rule over you” as leaders and guides. They are known as those who “labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.” These three expressions clarify the responsibilities of overseers. Wanting this work means that action is happening, not just a title. The desire can be good or bad, so the apostle Paul states the standard as a good way to identify suitable people and to exclude those who are not.