The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To Timothy
The King James Bible
1 Timothy 3:1-16 Standards 1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
Margin notes: "Bishop." (3:1) - Comes from the Greek word episkope, which better translates as "overseer," as in the pastor or minister of a church. See also Titus 1:7 and Question One below. "Vigilant." (3:2) - Means moderate, self-controlled. "Sober." (3:2) - Clear-headed, disciplined, sensible. "Apt to teach." (3:2) - "Qualified to teach." "No striker." (3:3) - "Non-violent." "Not greedy of filthy lucre." (3:3) - "Not greedy for dirty money." Some translations from the original Greek don't include this qualification. "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." (3:4) - "One who manages his own house well, and has children who respect and obey him." "Not a novice." (3:6) - "Not a new convert." "He must have a good report of them which are without." (3:7) - "He must have a good reputation with those outside the church." Paul thought it was essential that Christians be good role models for non-believers (1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Colossians 4:5). "Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (3:7) - "Or he will fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil." "Deacons." (3:8) - From the Greek word dialonos, which means "servant." Deacons (servants) had a different role in the church than bishops (overseers). They helped the hungry, the sick, and the poor, so ministers were free to preach (Acts 6:1-7). You can learn more about the role of deacons and how the first seven were selected in Acts 6:1-6. See also Question Two below. "Grave." (3:8) - Honorable, dignified. "Doubletongued." (3:8) - Anyone who says something to one person and something different to another. "The mystery of the faith." (3:9) - The mystery, or hidden truth, in the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament. Salvation does not come by obeying the Mosaic Law; it comes from faith in Jesus Christ. "Let these also first be proved." (3:10) - "Let them be tested first (before becoming deacons)." "Wives be grave." (3:11) - "Wives be dignified." "They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree." (3:13) - "Those who served well as deacons, made a good reputation for themselves." Some scholars believe this verse is part of an old, forgotten Christian hymn "Hoping to come unto thee shortly." (3:14) - Paul hoped to revisit the church in Ephesus, but he never did. "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God." (3:15) - "So if I stay here (in Rome) long, you will know how to behave in church." "Without controversy." (3:16) - "Without question." "The mystery of godliness." (3:16) - The New Testament explains the mystery of Godliness. Jesus Christ is our salvation and "hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). See also the rest of verse 16. "God was manifest in the flesh." (3:16) - "God was revealed in human form." Means God (Jesus) appeared on earth in a human body. The Son of God being born human is called the Incarnation of Christ. "Justified in the Spirit." (3:16) - "Vindicated, forgiven, pardoned, made righteous in the Spirit." We are justified, not by our deeds or by obeying the Mosaic Law (Philippians 3:9), but by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:17; 3:23-29; 5:1; 8:3; Galatians 2:16). Being justified means we are spared our punishment and "have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1), who was crucified and suffered the penalty for our sins (Isaiah 53:11; Ephesians 1:7). Once justified, we are entitled to all the heavenly rewards that come with being in total obedience to the Mosaic Law (Romans 5:1-10). "Seen of angels." (3:16) - See Matthew 4:11; 28:2. "Preached unto the Gentiles." (3:16) - Gentiles are included in God's plan of salvation along with God's chosen people, the Jews. "Received up into glory." (3:16) - Jesus was taken up to heaven. This is called the Ascension (Acts 1:9-10). |
New Living Translation
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Leaders in the Church
1 This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."
2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?
6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.
7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.
9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.
10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Truths of Our Faith
14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,
15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Leaders in the Church
1 This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."
2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?
6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.
7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.
9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.
10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Truths of Our Faith
14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,
15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Today's questions:
1. What are the qualifications to become a bishop (pastor)?
2. What are the qualifications to become a deacon?
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
1. What are the qualifications to become a bishop (pastor)?
2. What are the qualifications to become a deacon?
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. The qualifications for a good pastor are -
He should have just one wife. He should be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and possess the
knowledge and ability necessary to teach the word of God (3:2). He must not be given to drunkenness, violence, greed,
or be argumentative, or materialistic (3:3). He should have a respectable family (3:4-5), and not be new to the Christian faith (3:6). People outside the church should respect him (3:7).
Additional notes: Paul lists similar qualifications in Titus 1:7. Acts 20:28-29 gives us a glimpse into why the role of pastor is so vital.
2. To become a deacon, a candidate must be -
Worthy of respect, sincere, without a drinking problem, or greedy for money (3:8). They must be honest followers of Christ (3:9) who have been tested with lesser jobs within the church (3:10). Like pastors, they should have only one wife and know how to manage their homes and children (3:12).
Additional note: A woman, Phebe, was a deaconess in the church at Corinth and delivered Paul's Epistle to the Romans to Rome (Romans 16:1-2).
Application thought for the day:
Which qualities listed do you need to work on?
You may not be applying for a job as a pastor or deacon, but these qualities are worth emulating.
1. The qualifications for a good pastor are -
He should have just one wife. He should be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and possess the
knowledge and ability necessary to teach the word of God (3:2). He must not be given to drunkenness, violence, greed,
or be argumentative, or materialistic (3:3). He should have a respectable family (3:4-5), and not be new to the Christian faith (3:6). People outside the church should respect him (3:7).
Additional notes: Paul lists similar qualifications in Titus 1:7. Acts 20:28-29 gives us a glimpse into why the role of pastor is so vital.
2. To become a deacon, a candidate must be -
Worthy of respect, sincere, without a drinking problem, or greedy for money (3:8). They must be honest followers of Christ (3:9) who have been tested with lesser jobs within the church (3:10). Like pastors, they should have only one wife and know how to manage their homes and children (3:12).
Additional note: A woman, Phebe, was a deaconess in the church at Corinth and delivered Paul's Epistle to the Romans to Rome (Romans 16:1-2).
Application thought for the day:
Which qualities listed do you need to work on?
You may not be applying for a job as a pastor or deacon, but these qualities are worth emulating.
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2023 evolke
© 2023 evolke