1 Timothy 3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3

In this chapter our apostle treats of church-officers. He specifies, I. The qualifications of a person to be admitted to the office of a bishop, 1 Tim. 3:1-7. II. The qualifications of deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-10), and of their wives (1 Tim. 3:11), again of the deacons, 1 Tim. 3:12, 13. III. The reasons of his writing to Timothy, whereupon he speaks of the church and the foundation-truth professed therein, 1 Tim. 3:14-16. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The two epistles to Timothy, and that to Titus, contain a scripture-plan of church-government, or a direction to ministers. Timothy, we suppose, was an evangelist who was left at Ephesus, to take care of those whom the Holy Ghost had made bishops there, that is, the presbyters, as appears by Acts 20:28; where the care of the church was committed to the presbyters, and they were called bishops. It seems they were very loth to part with Paul, especially because he told them they should see his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:8-13

We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Acts 6:2, 4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Acts 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:14-16

He concludes the chapter with a particular direction to Timothy. He hoped shortly to come to him, to give him further directions and assistance in his work, and to see that Christianity was well planted, and took root well, at Ephesus; he therefore wrote the more briefly to him. But he wrote lest he should tarry long, that Timothy might know how to behave himself in the house of God, how to conduct himself as became an evangelist, and the apostle's substitute. Observe, I. Those who are... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

3:1-7 There is a saying which everyone must believe--if a man aspires to the office of overseer in the Church, it is a fine work on which his heart is set. An overseer must be a man against whom no criticism can be made; he must have been married only once; he must be sober, prudent, well-behaved, hospitable and possessed of an aptitude for teaching. He must not over-indulge in wine, nor must he be the kind of man who assaults others, but he must be gentle and peaceable, and free from the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

This passage is further interesting in that it tells us something of the appointment and the duties of the leaders of the Church. (i) They were formally set apart for their office. Titus was to ordain elders in every Church ( Titus 1:5 ). The office-bearer of the Church is not made an office-bearer in secret; he is set apart before the eyes of men; the honour of the Church is publicly delivered into his hands. (ii) They had to undergo a period of testing. They had first to be proved ( 1... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

We have just seen that the Christian leader must be a man who has won the respect of all. In this passage there is a great series of words and phrases describing his character; and it will be worth while to look at each in turn. Before we do that it will be interesting to set beside them two famous descriptions by great heathen thinkers of the good leader's character. Diogenes Laertius (7: 116-126) hands down to us the Stoic description. He must be married; he must be without pride; he must be... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The Christian leader must be sober (nephalios, Greek #3524 ) and he must not over-indulge in wine, (paroinos, Greek #3943 ). In the ancient world wine was continually used. Where the water supply was very inadequate and sometimes dangerous, wine was the most natural drink of all. It is wine which cheers the hearts of gods and men ( 9:13 ). In the restoration of Israel she will plant her vineyards and drink her wine ( Amos 9:14 ). Strong drink is given to those who are ready to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The Christian leader must be hospitable (philoxenos, Greek #5382 ). This is a quality on which the New Testament lays much stress. Paul bids the Roman Church to "practise hospitality" ( Romans 12:13 ). "Practise hospitality ungrudgingly to one another," says Peter ( 1 Peter 4:9 ). In the Shepherd of Hermas, one of the very early Christian writings, it is laid down: "The episkopos ( Greek #1985 ) must be hospitable, a man who gladly and at all times welcomes into his house the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8-10

3:8-10,12,13 In the same way, the deacons must be men of dignity, men who are straight, men who are not given to over-indulgence in wine, men who are not prepared to stoop to disgraceful ways of making money; they must hold the secret of the faith which has been revealed to them with a clear conscience. The deacons too must first of all be put upon probation, and, if they emerge blameless from the test, let them become deacons.... Deacons must be married only once; they must manage their own... read more

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