Understanding 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and the need for righteous church overseers in Nigerian Christendom

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.