Above Reproach

Is the judge being considered for Justice of the Supreme Court “above reproach?” It depends on your definition. And, you will have to decide if it matters. Does doing his job require that he be “above reproach?” 

And, for the purposes of this newsletter, how does this issue help us understand our Bibles better? Because qualifications for Supreme Court Justice to not appear in Scripture. But the phrase, “without reproach,” is applied to pastors, and, somewhat similarly, to Christians in general.

We find in Titus 1:6 the words, “if anyone is above reproach,” referring to the appointment of elders. Likewise, 1Tim. 3:2 says, “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach,” referring to a pastor or elder. The Bible says that church leaders should be “above reproach.”  

The phrase means that they should be “above criticism or accusation.” That is, their deportment and conversation should not bring them into disrepute. 

What if you have a clean, white wall, and someone throws garbage against it and stains it? Is it “above reproach?” Is it “spotless?” Well, not really. The wall may not have soiled itself, but the actions of others smeared its appearance, or, damaged its reputation.

With regard to a Supreme Court Justice, I’m not sure how much it matters. If he grew up engaging in various levels of debauchery, does that disqualify him from interpreting the law (I am not speaking to the issue of sexual assault)? I’m pretty sure he can do his job, hearing complex arguments and deciding on how the Constitution applies. But once accused, whether rightly, or falsely, I’m not sure it matters.

But not so with pastors/elders. Certainly our actions that deserve criticism or accusation may disqualify us from our roles providing spiritual oversight to the flock. But so may also, not only such actions, but even the accusations - even false accusations. He may be innocent, and still disqualified from pastoral ministry, because of the importance of reputation. Unlike a Justice, a pastor’s ministry relies on the trust of the people of the local flock. Without trust, his usefulness is destroyed. And so we find that “without reproach” is a qualification not only to be earned, but also guarded.