1 Timothy 3:6-7 6not a new convert, so that by not becoming puffed up in conceit they might fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7And he must have a good testimony before outsiders, so that he might not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
The next part of the list of qualifications of overseers focuses upon their spiritual maturity. Two issues are raised in these verses. First, the overseer must not be a new convert (neophyton). This word literally means “newly planted” and refers to someone who is just beginning to grow. For a Christian, this describes a new believer. Those who lead the church should be spiritually mature. This maturity is not dependent upon age but on faith, knowledge, and love.
If a person is place in leadership who is not firmly grounded and growing in Christ and who has been trained in the gospel, two bad things may result. This person may become conceited. Conceit (expressed using an instrumental participle typhōtheis) refers to something that is smoky, cloudy, or puffed up. If people are given responsibility without being humble, which comes with spiritual maturity, they are in danger of having their vision clouded so that they begin to think more highly of themselves than they ought.
The deceit of conceit can lead to the other danger of condemnation. They are condemned because they fall. This is not an accidental tripping but results from trying to lead the church without the needed spiritual qualities. This judgment is the one the devil will experience. Paul may mention the devil here because 1) the devil is the great deceiver who appeals to our selfish nature and 2) the devil is the greatest example of someone who became conceited against God’s sovereignty. The false teachers in Ephesus lacked the deep spiritual maturity needed and so were deceived by selfish ambitions (6:4).
Verse 7 refers to the positive spiritual quality of having a good testimony (martyrian). Those who lead the church ought to have a good reputation with those outside the church (unbelievers) in such a way that the gospel can be seen in what they say and how they live. Overseers are public people and on display before others. If they are hypocrites or inconsistent, this will discount any words that say in or out of the church.
Paul again brings up the devil as a warning of another way leaders can fall. A poor witness to the world will bring disgrace or shame to the overseer, the church, the message of the gospel, and ultimately Christ. A poor witness also becomes another trap for the devil who entices leaders to rely on their own understanding and ability and not humbly seek the help of God. Conceit and disgrace are related because what a person is inside will eventually come out. A selfish, immature leader will eventually fail. Too often, this fall involves other people and even a whole church, resulting in disgrace and ruined testimony of God’s saving message in Christ.
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