1 Timothy 3:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The two epistles to Timothy, and that to Titus, contain a scripture-plan of church-government, or a direction to ministers. Timothy, we suppose, was an evangelist who was left at Ephesus, to take care of those whom the Holy Ghost had made bishops there, that is, the presbyters, as appears by Acts 20:28; where the care of the church was committed to the presbyters, and they were called bishops. It seems they were very loth to part with Paul, especially because he told them they should see his... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

3:1-7 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 criticism can be made; he must have been married only once; he must be sober, prudent, well-behaved, hospitable and possessed of an aptitude for teaching. He must not over-indulge in wine, nor must he be the kind of man who assaults others, but he must be gentle and peaceable, and free from the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

This passage is further interesting in that it tells us something of the appointment and the duties of the leaders of the Church. (i) They were formally set apart for their office. Titus was to ordain elders in every Church ( Titus 1:5 ). The office-bearer of the Church is not made an office-bearer in secret; he is set apart before the eyes of men; the honour of the Church is publicly delivered into his hands. (ii) They had to undergo a period of testing. They had first to be proved ( 1... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

We have just seen that the Christian leader must be a man who has won the respect of all. In this passage there is a great series of words and phrases describing his character; and it will be worth while to look at each in turn. Before we do that it will be interesting to set beside them two famous descriptions by great heathen thinkers of the good leader's character. Diogenes Laertius (7: 116-126) hands down to us the Stoic description. He must be married; he must be without pride; he must be... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The Christian leader must be sober (nephalios, Greek #3524 ) and he must not over-indulge in wine, (paroinos, Greek #3943 ). In the ancient world wine was continually used. Where the water supply was very inadequate and sometimes dangerous, wine was the most natural drink of all. It is wine which cheers the hearts of gods and men ( 9:13 ). In the restoration of Israel she will plant her vineyards and drink her wine ( Amos 9:14 ). Strong drink is given to those who are ready to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The Christian leader must be hospitable (philoxenos, Greek #5382 ). This is a quality on which the New Testament lays much stress. Paul bids the Roman Church to "practise hospitality" ( Romans 12:13 ). "Practise hospitality ungrudgingly to one another," says Peter ( 1 Peter 4:9 ). In the Shepherd of Hermas, one of the very early Christian writings, it is laid down: "The episkopos ( Greek #1985 ) must be hospitable, a man who gladly and at all times welcomes into his house the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1

This is a true saying ,.... Some think this clause belongs to the last verse of the preceding chapter; and then the sense is, this is a doctrine that is true, and to be believed, that there is salvation through the birth of a Son, or through the incarnate Son of God, for men and women that believe in him, and continue in the faith of him, and love to him, joined with works of righteousness and holiness. And so the same phrase seems to belong to what goes before in 1 Timothy 4:8 . Though it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1

This is a true saying - Πιστος ὁ λογος· This is a true doctrine. These words are joined to the last verse of the preceding chapter by several of the Greek fathers, and by them referred to the doctrine there stated. The office of a bishop - Επισκοπης· The episcopacy, overseership or superintendency. The word ορεγεται , which we translate desire, signifies earnest, eager, passionate desire; and επιθυμει , which we translate desire, also signifies earnestly to desire or covet. It... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1

Verse 1 1It is a true saying Chrysostom thinks, that this is the conclusion of the preceding doctrine. But I do not approve of the opinion; for Paul commonly makes use of this form of expression as a prelude to what he is about to introduce, Besides, in the former discourse there was no need of so strong an affirmation; but what he is now about to say, is somewhat more weighty. Let these words, therefore, be received as a preface intended to point out the importance of the subject; for Paul now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1

Faithful is the saying for this is a true saying , A.V.; seeketh for desire , A.V. Faithful is the saying (see above, 1 Timothy 1:15 , note). This manifestly refers to what follows, not, as Chrysostom and others, and margin of the R.V., to the saying which precedes, in 1 Timothy 2:15 . Seeketh ( ὀρέγεται ); literally, stretches out his hands after . It is peculiar in the New Testament to the pastoral Epistles and the Epistle to the Hebrews, though common in... read more

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