1 Timothychapter 3

16 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 340 cross-references outward and receives 303 — heaviest partner: 1 Timothy.

Chapter summary

If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy; patient, not a brawler, not covetous; ruling his own house well. Deacons likewise — grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit. JFB reads the chapter as the qualification-catechism for office.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Epistle · Paul — see the 1 Timothy overview for the book's full setting.

1 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.