1 Timothy 3:8-12 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:10

Let these - be proved - Let them not be young converts, or persons lately brought to the knowledge of the truth. This is the same in spirit with what is required of the bishops, 1 Timothy 3:6 . Let no man be put into an office in the Church till he has given full proof of his sincerity and steadiness, by having been for a considerable time a consistent private member of the Church. Being found blameless - Ανεγκλητοι οντες· Being irreproachable; persons against whom no evil can be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave - I believe the apostle does not mean here the wives either of the bishops or deacons in particular, but the Christian women in general. The original is simply: Γυναικας ὡσαυτως σεμνας· Let the women likewise be grave. Whatever is spoken here becomes women in general; but if the apostle had those termed deaconesses in his eye, which is quite possible, the words are peculiarly suitable to them. That there was such an order in the apostolic and primitive... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - This is the same that is required of the bishops. See on 1 Timothy 3:2 ; (note) 1 Timothy 3:4 ; (note), and 1 Timothy 3:5 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8

Verse 8 8Likewise the deacons There is no reason why the diversity of interpretations should lead us to entertain any doubt. It is certain that time Apostle speaks of those who hold a public office in the Church; and this refutes the opinion of those who think that domestic servants are here meant. As to the view given by others, that it denotes presbyters who are inferior to the bishop, that is without foundation; for it is manifest from other passages, that the term bishop belongs alike to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:9

Verse 9 9Holding the mystery of faith As if he had said, “Holding the pure doctrine of religion, and that from the heart, with a sincere fear of God;” or, “Being well instructed in the faith, so as not to be ignorant of anything which it is necessary for Christians to know.” He gives to the sum of Christian doctrine the honorable appellation of a mystery; as indeed God, through the gospel, reveals to men on earth a wisdom which angels in heaven behold with admiration, and, therefore, we need... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:10

Verse 10 10And let those be first tried He wishes that they who are chosen should not be unknown, but that their integrity should be ascertained, like that of the bishops. And hence it is evident, that they are called blameless who are not stained by any marked vice. Besides, this trial is not for a single hour, but consists in long experience. In a word, when deacons are to be ordained, the choice must not fall at random, and without selection, on any that come to hand, but those men are to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

Verse 11 11.Likewise the wives He means the wives both of deacons and of bishops, for they must be aids to their husbands in their office; which cannot be, unless their behavior excel that of others. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:12

Verse 12 Let the deacons be Since he mentioned wives, he lays down the same injunction about deacons as he had formerly down about bishops; namely, that each of them — satisfied within having but one wife — shall set an example of a chaste and honorable father of a family, and shall keep his children and his whole house under holy discipline. And this refutes the error of those who understand this passage as referring to domestic servants. (65) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13

I. QUALIFICATIONS OF A BISHOP . Preliminary direction to Timothy . "Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." The Scripture idea of the episcopate is that of oversight , viz. of souls. A bishop was one who had the duty of overseeing a congregation in spiritual matters, being, in respect of gravity and dignity, called presbyter or elder. Timothy was to encourage any who sought to enter into the episcopate. The saying in Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

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