Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Timothy 3:6

1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 3:6-7 have nothing corresponding to them in Titus, or in the qualifications for the diaconate in this chapter.

μὴ νεόφυτον κ. τ. λ.: not a recent convert. νεόφυτος in O.T. is used literally of a young plant (Job 14:9; Psalms 127 (128):3; 143 (144):12; Isaiah 5:7). For its use in secular literature, see Deissmann, Bible Studies, trans. p. 220.

The significance of this qualification is apparent from its absence in the parallel passage in Titus. It is evident that Church organisation in Crete was in a very much less advanced state than in Ephesus. On the first introduction of the Gospel into a country, the apostles naturally “appointed their first fruits to be bishops and deacons” (Clem. Rom. i. § 42; Acts 14:23), because no others were available; and men appointed in such circumstances would have no temptation to be puffed up any more than would the leaders of a forlorn hope. But as soon as there came to be a Christian community of such a size as to supply a considerable number of men from whom leaders could be selected, and in which office might be a natural object of ambition, the moral risk to νεόφυτοι of early advancement would be a real danger. It is difficult to avoid at least a passing attack of τύφωσις, if you are promoted when young.

τυφωθείς : τυφόω comes from τῦφος, the primary meaning of which is smoke or vapour, then conceit or vanity which befogs a man's judgment in matters in which he himself is concerned. The R.V. always renders it puffed up. Vulg. here, in superbiam elatus.

κρίμα ἐμπέσῃ τοῦ διαβόλου : κρίμα is best taken in the sig. condemnation, as in Romans 3:8; Revelation 17:1, and τοῦ διαβόλου as objective genitive: “ Lest he be involved in the condemnation which the devil incurred,” or, the judgment pronounced on the devil, whose sin was, and is, pride. See Sir 10:13, 2 Peter 2:4. So most commentators, especially the ancients. On the other hand, τοῦ διαβόλου in 1 Timothy 3:7 is the subjective genitive, a snare laid by the devil; and it is possible to render κρίμα τ. διαβ. the accusation brought by the devil, or a judgment effected by the devil, who may succeed in this case, though he failed in that of Job. This is however not a natural translation; and it is to be observed that ἐμπίπτειν in reff. expresses a final doom, not a trial, such as that of temptation or probation. Dean Bernard takes τοῦ διαβόλου as subjective genitive in both verses; and in the sense of slanderer: the judgment passed by the slanderer; the snare prepared by the slanderer.

τοῦ διαβόλου : St. Paul uses this name for the Evil Spirit three times in the Pastorals and twice in Eph. (see reff.); ὁ πονηρός in Ephesians 6:16; ὁ Σατανᾶς elsewhere eight times. διάβολος, without the article, means slanderer in 1 Timothy 3:11 and reff. there.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Timothy 3:6

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