1 Timothy 3:7

them which are without Outside the circle of believers, the Christian Church: the same phrase is used by St Paul, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, -walk honestly toward them that are without"; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13.

the snare of the devil Probably we should take this as a separate phrase apart from -reproach," considering the use in 2 Timothy 2:26, -recover themselves out of the snare of the devil." The genitive here must be subjective, -the snare laid by the devil." So Huther, -It is a figurative name for the lying in wait of the devil, who is represented as a hunter." See Appendix, K.

The devil entraps a man, that is, into -proud despair" by the temptation arising out of the -reproach" for the past thrown in his teeth; -You can never be of use or in repute; these old sins will dog and clog you; you may as well return to your "wallowing in the mire" "; cf. 2 Samuel 12:14, By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." We know the terrible struggle David's life was to him afterwards, through the weakening of his authority, in consequence of the old, well-known fall; how for example he was drawn again into deeds of violence and injustice by the sons of Zeruiah, who, as he bitterly complained, were -too hard" for him.