Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Truth to Learn
Preachers and teachers must be believable and trustworthy.
Behind the Words
The word “moreover” is translated from the Greek words, hōde loipon. Hōde is an adverb of place. That is, it describes the action of the verb (it is required) as “here in this place.” The word loipon refers to “that which remains.” So, these three words could be translated as “as to the rest,” “additionally,” or “moreover.”
Dzēteō is the Greek verb translated “it is required.” It literally means “to seek after, to require, or to expect.”
“Stewards” is from oikonomos, which in the previous verse we learned means “a person who manages the affairs of a household or a business which rightfully belongs to someone else.”
The words “be found” are from the Greek verb heuriskō, meaning “to find something.” It usually implies the result of a search, but it may mean to find something not searched for.
“Faithful” is translated from the noun pistos, which is based on the verb peithō, meaning “to win over or persuade.” Thus, pistos refers to someone who is trustworthy or believable.
Meaning Explained
In the previous verse Paul instructed us on how we ought to view the leaders of our local congregation, especially those who proclaim the Word of God, either in preaching or teaching. He said that they should be seen as the Lord’s assistants, as those who have the responsibility of managing the affairs of their master and handing out the “mysteries of God.” You may recall from earlier studies that the word “mystery” (from the Greek word musterion) refers to something that was hidden in the past but that is now being publicly made known.
Now we are told that an additional, and perhaps most important, characteristic of those who handle God’s Word is that they be faithful. The English word carries the idea of being full of faith, that is, a believer. However, that is not the point that Paul is making. After all, every Christian is full of faith, every Christian is one who believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross as payment for their sins. Since every member of the true church is a believer, of course that also applies to the preachers and teachers.
Paul’s point here is that these leaders, these who are given the responsibility of handling the mysteries of God, are to be found trustworthy and believable. People who preach and teach God’s Word must be observed and must be found to properly dispense that which the Master has given to their care. In other words, we who sit under their teaching should not just take everything they say as truth, but we should test what they say and teach. We should act as the Christians in Berea are said to have acted:
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11)
Application
When you leave your church meeting, do you forget about what was taught? Or do you think about what was said and study your Bible to verify the trustworthiness of the teacher?
Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved
