1 Timothy 3:1-13 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ,.... See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:2 . ruling their children and their own houses well . These qualifications are the same with those of the bishop or elder; See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:13

For they that have used the office of a deacon well ,.... With diligence and faithfulness, with simplicity and cheerfulness; taking good care of the minister and poor, and of the discipline of God's house: purchase to themselves a good degree ; not an higher office, as that of presbytery or episcopacy, which is a sense calculated to serve a hierarchy; nor a degree in glory and happiness hereafter; but rather an increase of gifts and grace; or a degree of respect and honour in the church:... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:5

For if a man know not - Method is a matter of great importance in all the affairs of life. It is a true saying, He that does little with his head must do much with his hands; and even then the business is not half done for want of method. Now, he who has a proper method of doing business will show it in every affair of life, even the least. He who has a disorderly family has no government of that family; he probably has none because he has no method, no plan, of presiding. It was natural for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:6

Fifteenth - It is required that he be not a novice - Νεοφυτον· Not a young plant, not recently ingrafted, that is, one not newly converted to the faith; (old MS. Bible); one who has been of considerable standing in the Christian Church, if he have the preceding qualifications, may be safely trusted with the government of that Church. It is impossible that one who is not long and deeply experienced in the ways of God can guide others in the way of life. Hence presbyters or elders were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:7

The sixteenth requisite is, that he should have a good report of them which are without - That he should be one who had not been previously a profligate, or scandalous in his life. Such a person, when converted, may be a worthy private member of religious society; but I believe God rarely calls such to the work of the ministry, and never to the episcopate. Them that are without are the Jews, Gentiles, and the unconverted of all kinds. For the meaning of this term see the note on Colossians... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise must the deacons - The term deacon, διακονος , simply signifies a regular or stated servant: from δια , through or emphatic, and κονεω , to minister or serve. See it explained in the note on Matthew 20:26 . As nearly the same qualifications were required in the deacons as in the bishops, the reader may consult what is said on the preceding verses. Grave - Of a sedate and dignified carriage and conduct. Not double-tongued - Speaking one thing to one person, and... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:13

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8

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