1 Timothy Chapter 3
1 This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work.
2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
4 one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
5 (but how could someone who doesn't know how to rule one's own house take care of God's assembly?)
6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
7 Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,
9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless.
11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things.
12 Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly;
15 but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God's house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached amongst the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
Footnotes
- Verse 1 (overseer)
- or, superintendent, or bishop
- Verse 8 (servants)
- or, Deacons.
- Verse 10 (serve)
- or, serve as deacons
- Verse 12 (servants)
- or, deacons
- Verse 13 (served well)
- or, served well as deacons
- Verse 16 (God)
- Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies critical text Greek New Testament replaces "God" with "who"
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1 Timothy Chapter 3 Guide
Turning to the government of the Church, the apostle deals with two orders, bishops and deacons. The bishop is an overseer, whose duty it is to watch over the flock. The apostle describes the qualifications necessary to fulfil the office:
- character (verses 1 Timothy 3:2-3),
- temperament (verses 1 Timothy 3:4-5),
- experience (verse 1 Timothy 3:6), and
- reputation (verse 1 Timothy 3:7).
The description of the deacon has unquestioned reference to the order instituted in the early days, as recorded by Luke (Acts 6:1-15). According to this, they were to be "men of good report, full of the spirit of wisdom." There is not the slightest warrant for looking on the o5ce in any sense as inferior. Its function was different, but not less important. The business of the Church ever needs to be carried on by men of highest character and deepest spirituality. All this will be seen as the instructions of the apostle are pondered.
The purpose of all the apostle had written was that men might know how to behave themselves in the Church. A remarkable and singularly beautiful description of the Church follows. It is the house of God, and therefore it is the pillar and ground of truth. The essential glory of the Church is "the truth." Having shown this, the apostle describes the truth in words which constitute a verse of perfect poetry. There have been varied renderings of this passage. That of Humphreys in the Cambridge Bible is very illuminative.
Who is flesh was manifested, Pure in Spirit was attested; By angels' vision witnessed, Among the nations heralded; By faith accepted here, Received in glory there!
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Timothy Chapter 3 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The qualifications and behaviour of gospel bishops. -- (1-7)
- And of deacons and their wives. -- (8-13)
- The reason of writing about these, and other church affairs. -- (14-16)
Verses 1-7
If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as can be, lest he bring reproach upon his office. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together in Scripture, they assist one the other. The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils. He must be of good repute among his neighbours, and under no reproach from his former life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Mt 28:20. And he will fit his ministers for their work, and carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.
Verses 8-13
The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers, must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.
Verses 14-16
The church is the house of God; he dwells there. The church holds forth the Scripture and the doctrine of Christ, as a pillar holds forth a proclamation. When a church ceases to be the pillar and ground of truth, we may and ought to forsake her; for our regard to truth should be first and greatest. The mystery of godliness is Christ. He is God, who was made flesh, and was manifest in the flesh. God was pleased to manifest himself to man, by his own Son taking the nature of man. Though reproached as a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, Christ was raised again by the Spirit, and so was justified from all the false charges with which he was loaded. Angels ministered to him, for he is the Lord of angels. The Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the Jews rejected. Let us remember that God was manifest in the flesh, to take away our sins, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These doctrines must be shown forth by the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.