Abstract:
Christianity is one of the main religions thriving in Nigeria as seen in the high rate of
proliferations of churches and plenipotentiaries who claim to be divinely called to establish
and oversee their churches. The need for righteous church overseers cannot be overemphasised.
The effects of unrighteous leaderships in most churches are negatively impacting
the holistic mission-mandate of the church in Nigeria. This article focuses on exegetically
exploring, interpreting and applying the context of 1 Timothy 3:1–7 to the church’s leadership
situation in Nigeria. Exegetical approach is used to establish the diachronic and theological
influences that motivated Paul to advise Timothy about the qualifications of a plenipotentiary
of God who is to be admitted to the office of an overseer, and how overseers are to conduct
themselves in the house of God. The world of the early Christians can be compared with the
world of Christians of the 21st century. Then as now, there are those who desire to be church
overseers, but whose character and doctrines deny the fundamental principles of the church.
This article argues that the categorical instructions of Paul to Timothy about the qualifications
of overseers are still relevant for the church in Nigeria to be led in righteousness.
CONTRIBUTION : This study fits the scope of this journal as it addressed the theological
implications of the proliferation of church-overseers who refrain from adhering to the bishopric
criteria enlisted by Paul. It recommended exegetical-solutions on how the Nigerian church
leaders are to be righteous bishops as underlined in 1 Timothy 3:1–7.
