1 Timothy 3:1
DESIRETH A GOOD WORK] i.e. a noble occupation.... [ Continue Reading ]
DESIRETH A GOOD WORK] i.e. a noble occupation.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNING THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 1-7. The fourth charge to Timothy, in respect to presbyters.... [ Continue Reading ]
A BISHOP] RV 'the bishop,' RM 'overseer.' Some think (see General Intro.) that the terms 'bishop' and 'elder' are used interchangeably in these Epistles, as they seem to have been at an earlier date (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1). Others, however, think that, at the close of the apostolic age, to whi... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION] more exactly, 'having children (who are) in subjection.'... [ Continue Reading ]
NOVICE] i.e. a recent convert. A 'bishop' or 'presbyter' must have Christian experience. LIFTED UP] The young presbyter's danger is the PRIDE which led to THE CONDEMNATION OF THE DEVIL, and is the SNARE laid for him by the devil.... [ Continue Reading ]
GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE] Part of the office of the deacon was to 'serve tables' and administer relief to the poor, so that he had opportunity for peculation and base gains.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIFTH CHARGE TO TIMOTHY—as to deacons and deaconesses.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH] the Christian faith, which, having once been hidden, is now revealed: cp. 1 Timothy 3:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their_ WIVES] RV 'women': but instructions about women in general would not be thus parenthetically inserted. Both Light-foot and Ellicott translate 'deaconesses.' Such an order, which, it is certain, came into existence at a very early date, was especially necessary in the East owing to the strict... [ Continue Reading ]
HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE] see on 1 Timothy 3:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
PURCHASE] RV 'gain.' A GOOD DEGREE] RV 'standing,' a high position in estimation and influence. 14-16. Importance of the above charges, for the purpose of instructing Timothy how to act as a minister of God's Church—an institution which God has established to hold up the truth as a pillar supports... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT CONTROVERSY] rather, 'as we confess'; and then the Apostle quotes some words of an early confession of the Christian faith: 'He who was incarnate; whose righteousness was made manifest; who was an object of open vision to angels; whom the Apostles preached to the world; whom the faithful bel... [ Continue Reading ]