“The overseer must be . . . not quick tempered” (Titus 1:7).
A quick-tempered man is one who is predisposed to anger and easily provoked. His first and natural inclination is toward anger.
The NET Bible renders this kind of person “wrathful” in Proverbs 29:22. The NIV puts it this way: “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins” (NIV). Thus, an angry or wrathful man is also described as hot-tempered.
Being quick-tempered is wrong for anyone, but is especially wrong for an elder. Nothing good, but much evil, results from being quick-tempered (Prov. 14:17, 29; 15:18; 25:28; 29:22).
If the wise are instructed not even to associate with a man given to anger (Prov. 22:24-25), then surely such a man should not be a leader in the church. In fact, godly, wise people are to shun him, which would obviously make it difficult for that angry man to shepherd the people of God.
Further, elders should reflect the character of God, and He is slow to anger: “The LORD is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness” (Ps. 145:8, NASB).
The world is inclined to perceive Christians as angry, hostile people. Elders especially need to reflect the predisposition of our God to be gracious and compassionate, and thus be quick to show grace rather than anger. Wrath may very well be deserved, but it should not be too quick to burst forth.
God’s patience toward us should inspire our patience toward others. We are being transformed into conformity with his character (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:3-4f.). The Holy Spirit presently works within us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which overcomes our fleshly inclination to anger and makes us like Christ (Gal. 5:20, 22-24).