Analysis Of The Chapter The object of this chapter 1 Timothy 3 is to give directions respecting the qualifications and duties of the officers of the Christian church. As it is evident that Timothy was to be partly employed in the appointment of suitable officers for the church at Ephesus, and as th... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS A TRITE SAYING - Greek, “Faithful is the word” - the very phrase which is used in 1 Timothy 1:15; see the notes on that verse. The idea here is, that it was worthy of credence; it was not to be doubted. IF A MAN DESIRE - Implying that there would be those who would wish to be put into the mi... [ Continue Reading ]
A BISHOP - A minister of religion, according to the foregoing remarks, who has the charge or oversight of any Christian church. The reference here is doubtless to one who had the government of the church entrusted to him 1 Timothy 3:4, and who was also a preacher of the gospel. MUST BE BLAMELESS - T... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT GIVEN TO WINE - Margin, “Not ready to quarrel and offer wrong, as one in wine.” The Greek word (πάροινος paroinos) occurs in the New Testament only here and in Titus 1:7. It means, properly, “by wine;” i. e., spoken of what takes place “by” or “over” wine, as revelry, drinking songs, etc. Then... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE THAT RULETH WELL HIS OWN HOUSE - This implies that a minister of the gospel would be, and ought to be, a married man. It is everywhere in the New Testament supposed that he would be a man who could be an example in all the relations of life. The position which he occupies in the church has a str... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF A MAN KNOW NOT HOW TO RULE - This is a beautiful and striking argument. A church resembles a family. It is, indeed, larger, and there is a greater variety of dispositions in it than there is in a family. The authority of a minister of the gospel in a church is also less absolute than that of... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT A NOVICE - Margin, “one newly come to the faith.” The Greek word, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, means, properly, that which is “newly planted.” Thus it would mean a plant that was not strong, or not fitted to bear the severity of storms; that had not as yet struck its roots dee... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER HE MUST HAVE A GOOD REPORT OF THEM WHICH ARE WITHOUT - Who are without the church; that is, of those who are not Christians. This includes, of course, “all” classes of those who are not Christians - pagans, infidels, Jews, moral people, and scoffers. The idea is, that he must have a fair re... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE MUST THE DEACONS - On the meaning of the word “deacons,” see the notes on Philippians 1:1. On their appointment, see the notes, Acts 6:1. The word here evidently denotes those who had charge of the temporal affairs of the church, the poor, etc. No qualifications are mentioned, implying that... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLDING THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH - On the word “mystery,” see notes on 1 Corinthians 2:7. It means that which had been concealed, or hidden, but which was now revealed. The word “faith” here, is synonymous with “the gospel;” and the sense is, that he should hold firmly the great doctrines of the Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LET THESE ALSO FIRST BE PROVED - That is, tried or tested in regard to the things which were the proper qualifications for the office. This does not mean that they were to be employed as “preachers,” but that they were to undergo a proper trial in regard to their fitness for the office which the... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN SO MUST THEIR WIVES BE GRAVE - Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius, Bloomfield, and many others, suppose that by the word “wives,” here, (γυνᾶικας gunaikas), the apostle means “deaconesses.” Clarke supposes that it refers to women in general. The reason assigned for supposing that it does not ref... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE DEACONS BE THE HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE - notes, 1 Timothy 3:2. RULING THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR OWN HOUSES WELL - notes, 1 Timothy 3:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY THAT HAVE USED THE OFFICE OF A DEACON WELL - Margin, “ministered.” The Greek word is the same as deacon, meaning ministering, or serving in this office. The sense would be well expressed by the phrase, “deaconizing well.” The “word” implies nothing as to the exact nature of the office. PUR... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS WRITE I UNTO THEE, HOPING TO COME UNTO THEE SHORTLY - That is, he hoped to come there to give instructions personally, or to finish, himself, the work which he had commenced in Ephesus, and which had been interrupted by his being driven so unexpectedly away. This verse proves that the a... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF I TARRY LONG - Paul appears to have been uncertain how long circumstances would require him to be absent. He expected to return, but it was possible that his hope of returning soon would be disappointed. THAT THOU MAYEST KNOW HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO BEHAVE THYSELF - That is, that he might have... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, WITHOUT CONTROVERSY - Undeniably, certainly. The object of the apostle is to say that the truth which he was about to state admitted of no dispute. GREAT IS THE MYSTERY - On the meaning of the word “mystery,” see the notes on 1 Corinthians 2:7. The word means that which had been hidden or conce... [ Continue Reading ]