1 Timothy 3:1-8

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

Not given to wine ,.... One that does not sit at it, or is continually drinking it, and is intemperate in the use of it; otherwise it is lawful for persons in such an office to drink wine, and sometimes absolutely necessary; see 1 Timothy 5:23 it signifies one that is not given to much wine, as in 1 Timothy 3:8 is not addicted to it, or a follower of it; the Syriac version renders it, "who does not transgress over wine", or go beyond due bounds in the use of it, who is not immoderate in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:4

One that ruleth well his own house ,.... His family, wife, children, and servants; and is not to be understood of his body, and of keeping of that under, and of preserving it chaste and temperate, as appears from what follows: having his children in subjection with all gravity ; keeping a good decorum in his family; obliging his children to observe his orders, and especially the rules of God's word; and not as Eli, who did not use his authority, or lay his commands upon his sons, nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:5

For if a man know not how to rule his own house ,.... Which is an affair of less importance, and more easy to be done; not requiring so much resolution, prudence, care, and thought: how shall he take care of the church of God ? preside over it, rule in it, provide for it, and see that everything is in its proper place, and done according to the will of God. The argument is from the lesser to the greater. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:6

Not a novice ,.... Or one newly planted, the Arabic version adds, "in the faith"; meaning not a young man, for so was Timothy himself; but a young professor and church member; one that is lately come to the knowledge of the truth, and has just embraced and professed it, and become a member of a church, a new plant there: so the Hebrew word נטע , "a plant", is by the Septuagint in Job 14:9 rendered by this very word. The reason why such a person should not be a bishop, elder, or pastor of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:7

Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without , That is, "without the church", as the Arabic version reads; for wicked men, though they dislike the principles and profession of godly ministers, and despise their office, yet cannot but speak well of their becoming life and conversation. And this part of their character is necessary to invite persons to hear them, and to recommend their ministry to them, as well as for the reasons that follow: lest he fall into reproach ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise must the deacons be grave ,.... The apostle proceeds to give the qualifications, and so the rules for choosing another sort of officers in the church, deacons; whose work and business is, not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables; to provide the bread and wine for the Lord's table, to attend at it, and distribute the elements from the minister to the people, to collect for it, defray... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:2

A bishop then must be blameless - Our term bishop comes from the Anglo-Saxon, which is a mere corruption of the Greek επισκοπος , and the Latin episcopus ; the former being compounded of επι , over, and σκεπτομαι , to look or inspect, signifies one who has the inspection or oversight of a place, persons, or business; what we commonly term a superintendent. The New Testament writers have borrowed the term from the Septuagint, it being the word by which they translate the פקיד pakid... read more

Adam Clarke

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

An eighth article in his character is, he must not be given to wine; μη παροινον . This word not only signifies one who is inordinately attached to wine, a winebibber or tippler, but also one who is imperious, abusive, insolent, whether through wine or otherwise. Kypke contends for this latter acceptation here. See his proofs and examples. Ninth - He must be no striker; μη πληκτην , not quarrelsome; not ready to strike a person who may displease him; no persecutor of those who may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

The fourteenth qualification of a Christian bishop is, that he ruleth well his own house; του ιδιου οικου καλως προΐσταμενον , one who properly presides over and governs his own family. One who has the command, of his own house, not by sternness, severity, and tyranny, but with all gravity; governing his household by rule, every one knowing his own place, and each doing his own work, and each work having the proper time assigned for its beginning and end. This is a maxim of common sense; no... read more

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