The for a, A.V.; therefore for then , A.V.; without reproach for blameless , A.V.; temperate for vigilant , A.V.; sober-minded for sober , A.V.; orderly for of good behavior , A.V. The bishop (see note on 1 Timothy 3:1 ); "a bishop" is better English. Without reproach ( ἀνεπίληπτος ); only here and 1 Timothy 5:7 and 1 Timothy 6:14 in the New Testament; not found anywhere in the LXX , but used by Thucydides, Euripides, and others, in the sense... read more
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 3:4-5, and who was also a preacher of the gospel.Must be blameless - This is a different word (ἀνεπίλημπτον anepilēmpton) from that rendered “blameless” in Luke 1:6; Philippians 2:15; Philippians 3:6 (ἄμεμπτος amemptos); compare however, Luke 1:6 note;... read more
1 Timothy 3:2-3. A bishop then Or an overseer of the flock of Christ, that he may be capable of such an office; must be blameless In every respect with regard to his moral character, since any thing which might be amiss in that would tend to bring a reproach upon his office, and greatly obstruct his usefulness; the husband of one wife This neither means that a bishop must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife; which is just as lawful for him to do as to marry a first,... read more
Elders and deacons (3:1-13)Churches of the New Testament era were self-governing bodies that were independent of each other and under the control of local elders. Elders were also known as shepherds, overseers, guardians, leaders and bishops, but these names represent only two words in the original Greek, presbuteroi and episkopoi.These two Greek words refer to the same office and people. For example (in the words of the RSV), in Acts 20:17 Paul sent for the elders (presbuteroi) of the Ephesian... read more
bishop . Greek. episkopos . See Acts 20:28 . blameless. Greek. anepileptos . Only here, 1 Timothy 5:7 ; 1 Timothy 6:14 . husband App-123 . vigilant = sober. Greek. nephalcos . Here, 1 Timothy 3:1 , 1 Timothy 2:2 . sober , Greek. sophron . Here, Titus 1:8 ; Titus 2:2 , Titus 2:5 . Compare 1 Timothy 2:9 , 1Ti 2:15 , 2 Timothy 1:7 . Titus 2:4 , Titus 2:6 , Titus 2:12 . of good behaviour . Greek. kosmios . See 1 Timothy 2:9 . given to hospitality . Greek. philoxenos Here; Titus 1:8 . 1... read more
The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;Of the fifteen qualifications mentioned in this chapter, seven are listed in this verse.Without reproach ... This is the great and all-inclusive qualification. Wuest pointed out that the Greek word from which this comes means "one who cannot be laid hold upon,"[8] that is, a man without a handle, one who has given evil men no occasion whatever to blame or... read more
1 Timothy 3:2. A bishop then must be blameless,— With respect to his moral character. The priests under the law were to be without bodily infirmities, Leviticus 21:16; Leviticus 21:24. The bishops in the Christian church are to be of unblemished hearts and lives, Titus 1:6-7.—the husband of one wife; that is, "one who has not causelessly divorced his wife, and married another;" much less ought he to have more than one wife at a time. See 1 Timothy 3:12. Some understand the apostle here as... read more
2. The existence of Church organization and presbyters at Ephesus is presupposed (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 5:19). The institution of Church widows (1 Timothy 5:3-25) accords with this. The directions here to Timothy, the president or apostolic delegate, are as to filling up vacancies among the bishops and deacons, or adding to their number. New churches in the neighborhood also would require presbyters and deacons. Episcopacy was adopted in apostolic times as the most expedient form of... read more
1. Qualifications for elders 3:1-7The Ephesian church already had elders long before Paul wrote this letter (Acts 20:17-35)."If our identification of the false teachers as elders is correct, then Paul’s reason for this set of instructions is that Timothy must see to it that elders are living according to their appointment, that is, by these standards. At the same time, of course, the whole church will be listening in and will thus be given the grounds for discipline of erring elders as well as... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-16
It was one of the weightiest duties laid upon Timothy, when called to be the spiritual ruler of the Church of Ephesus, to take care that the priests and deacons were men well qualified for their holy office. The condition of a congregation depends so largely upon the spiritual character of those who minister to it, that the choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred ministry of God's Church is a matter of vital importance to the welfare of the people, and demands the utmost wisdom and... read more