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Summarized Bible Commentary

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Contents: Qualifications of elders and deacons.

Characters: God, Christ, Satan.

Conclusion: Those having places of authority in the church must be blameless, not lying under any scandal, watchful against Satan, moderate in all their actions, proving their ability to care for God's people by keeping a Godly and well-governed household, holding the truths of the faith in a pure conscience.

Key Word: Elders, deacons, 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:8.

Strong Verses: 1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:16.

Striking Facts: 1 Timothy 3:16. The mystery of Godliness is Christ. He was God manifest in the flesh (John 1:14). Being reproached as a sinner. He was raised by the Spirit and so justified. He was attended by and worshipped by angels. He is offered to the Gentiles as Savior and Redeemer. He is believed on by millions. He is exalted in glory.

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See also 1 Timothy 3:1-16 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    1 TIMOTHY 3:1 pisto,j {A} The origin of the variant reading avnqrw,pinoj o` lo,goj (“it is a human saying,” i.e. “a common [or popular] saying”), supported by several Western witnesses (D* itd, 86 Am...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER III. _Concerning bishops, their qualifications and work_, 1-7. _Of deacons, and how they should be proved_, 8-10. _Of their wives and children, and how they should be governed_, 11-13. _H...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 b...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    III. CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The overseer (1 Timothy 3:1)_ 2. The deacon (1 Timothy 3:8) 3. The house of God and the mystery of Godliness (1 Timothy 3:14)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    (_b_) III. 1 TIMOTHY 3:1. Church Officials. 1 Timothy 3:1. The Bishops. Not only public worship, but also the appointment of officials, must be regulated. He who exercises oversight a good work, as i...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

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  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    There is a saying which everyone must believe--if a man aspires to the office of overseer in the Church, it is a fine work on which his heart is set. An overseer must be a man against whom no criticis...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    TRUE. faithful. App-150. See 1 Timothy 1:16. SAYING. App-121. IF. MAN. lf (App-118. a) ANY ONE (App-123.) DESIRE. Greek. _oregomai_, Here, 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 11:16

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The duties and characters of Bishops or Presbyters Following the directions concerning the general arrangements for public worship come instructions as to the character and qualifications of the appo...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    This is _a true saying_ Better, IT IS A FAITHFUL SAYING; R.V., as in 1 Timothy 1:15, literally -Faithful is the saying"; most probably to be referred, as there and in the other three passages, to the...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    For πιστός D2* has ἀνθρώπινος, following its Latin version _humanus_, which is also read by m; g has _humanus vel fidelis_. see on 1 Timothy 1:15. 1. ΠΙΣΤῸΣ Ὁ ΛΌΓΟΣ. This formula (see on 1 Timothy 1:1...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    II. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OFFICIALS OF THE CHURCH 1–7. i. BISHOPS Having spoken of the conduct of public worship, the Apostle proceeds to expound the qualifications requisite for those who hold offic...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

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  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

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  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    3 Translators have experienced much difficulty with this opening sentence, because it seemed to lack the principal verb. The A V adds _ so do_, the Revisers _ so do I now_. It is very seldom that any...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

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  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

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  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

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  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

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  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

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  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

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  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

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  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

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  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

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  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

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  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

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  • John Darby's Synopsis

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  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

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  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

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  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Because some false teachers were now spreading their erroneous doctrines with assiduity among the believers at Ephesus, and it was necessary that Timothy (to whom the care of the church there was comm...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

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  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

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  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

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  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

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  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

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  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

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  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

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  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

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  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

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  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

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  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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  • The Bible Study New Testament

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  • The Biblical Illustrator

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  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

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  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

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  • The Pulpit Commentaries

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  • The Typology of Scripture by Patrick Fairbairn

    CHAPTER III The apostle here continues his special instructions to Timothy, but directs them to another topic, and one of still greater moment to the right order and government of the church; namely,...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

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  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    This is a true saying [π ι σ τ ο ς ο λ ο γ ο ς]. Better, faithful is the saying. See on ch. 1 Timothy 1:15. Desire [ο ρ ε γ ε τ α ι]. Better, seeketh. Only here, ch. 6 10, and Hebrews 11:16. Originall...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    He desireth a good work — An excellent, but laborious, employment....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. Our apostle acquaints Timothy with the dignity, honour, and excellency of the sacred function: HE THAT DESIRETH THE OFFICE OF. BISHOP, that is, to rule and teach in the church of God,...

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