As a church studies the qualifications for elders, there is always a question of the elder's family, whether he is a lay elder or an elder on staff of a church. One of the questions that come up is the elder's children. Should they believers in order for that man to serve as an elder?
One of the verses that has caused this question is Titus 1:6, which says, "if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination." Most translations have it worded that the children of an elder must be a believer. The King James Version has it like this, "If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." Faithful children which could mean a variety of things.
John Calvin writes:
Seeing that it is required that a pastor shall have prudence and gravity, it is proper that those qualities should be exhibited in his family; for how shall that man who cannot rule his own house — be able to govern the church! Besides, not only must the bishop himself be free from reproach, but his whole family ought to be a sort of mirror of chaste and honorable discipline; and, therefore, in the First Epistle to Timothy, he not less strictly enjoins their wives what they ought to be.
First, he demands that the children shall be “believers;” whence it is obvious that they have been educated in the sound doctrine of godliness, and in the fear of the Lord. Secondly, that they shall not be devoted to luxury, that they may be known to have been educated to temperance and frugality. Thirdly, that they shall not be disobedient; for he who cannot obtain from his children any reverence or subjection — will hardly be able to restrain the people by the bridle of discipline.
A study note from the ESV Study Bible says:
His children are believers can also be rendered “his children are faithful” (Gk. pistos). The primary argument for rendering it as “believers” is that in the letters to Timothy and Titus, this word almost always refers to saving faith. Those who think it should be rendered “faithful” would argue that no father can guarantee the conversion of his own children, but he can ordinarily ensure that they act in a “faithful” way. Also, the parallel passage in 1 Timothy 3 says only that the children must be well-behaved, not that their conversion is a requirement for their father to be an overseer. The concern in the passage is that the children behave appropriately and are not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. The word “children” (plural of Gk. teknon) would apply only to children living at home and still under their father’s authority.
1 Timothy 3:4 speaks of the elder keeping his children submissive as he manages his household. No where in 1 Timothy 3 do we see an elder's children must be saved in order to serve as an elder. The passage in Titus can also be translated as faithful children. Children who are submissive to their father's authority and guidance in Biblical truth.
Many have assumed the Titus passage meaning the dad is responsible for the salvation of his kids. If that were the case then the God is not sovereign nor responsible for our salvation. What do you say to an elder who has an infant son who cannot mutter a word, he is not saved.
What churches need to do in looking at elders is to see how the children respond to their father and what the father does in correcting them in discipline. No child is perfect especially when they become teenagers and think they are smarter than you. Should the father correct his children, yes.
Churches also need to look at the spiritual leadership of the elder. Is the elder teaching the Bible in his home? Elders manage God's household not only in leadership in direction of the church but also in teaching the Bible.
We need to be careful not to put a misinterpretation of this passage or any other regarding eldership as a church seeks elders to lead the church.
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