1 Timothy 3:6 - Exposition

Puffed up for lifted up with pride , A.V. A novice ( νεόφυτον ); only here in the New Testament, but found repeatedly in the LXX . in its literal sense of "a tree" or "plantation" newly planted ( Psalms 127:3 ( Psalms 128:3 , A.V.); Psalms 144:12 ; Isaiah 5:7 ). Here the novice or neophyte is one recently converted and received into the Church. As such he is not yet fit to be a ruler and a teacher of the brethren. The reason follows. Lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil . τυφωθεις , puffed up, is peculiar in the New Testament to the pastoral Epistles ( 1 Timothy 6:4 ; 2 Timothy 3:4 ), from τυφός , smoke (comp. λίνον τυφόμενον , "smoking flax," Matthew 12:10 ). The idea seems to be "lightness," "emptiness," and "elation." Some add that of "obscuration" as by smoke; τυφόω , to wrap in smoke; τετύφωμαι , to be wrapt in clouds of conceit and folly (Liddell and Scott). The condemnation of the devil . A somewhat obscure phrase. It means either