1 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV

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 3:14-15

3:14-15 I am writing these things to you, hoping, as I write, to come to you soon. But I am writing, so that, if I am delayed, you may know how to behave yourselves in the household of God, which is the assembly of the living God, and the pillar and buttress of the truth. Here in one phrase is the reason why the Pastoral Epistles were written; they were written to tell men how to behave within the Church. The word for to behave is anastrephesthai ( Greek #390 ); it describes what we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:14

These things write I unto thee ,.... Concerning the offices of bishops and deacons, their several qualifications, and the rules of judging of persons fit for such service: hoping to come unto thee shortly ; at Ephesus. He could not tell whether he could come or not, and therefore makes no promise, but hoped he should; and since it was uncertain, he thought fit to write the above things for his instruction and use. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long ,.... Or should long delay coming, defer it longer than may be expected; let it be observed that these things are written, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God ; that is, the church of God, as it is afterwards explained; called a house, in allusion either to an edifice, it being a spiritual house built of lively stories, or true believers, upon the foundation Jesus Christ, and who also is the door into it; the pillars of it are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:14

These things write I - That is: I write only these things; because I hope to come unto thee shortly. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long - That is: Not withstanding I hope to come to thee shortly, and therefore do not feel the necessity of writing at large; yet, lest I should be delayed, I write what I judge necessary to direct thy conduct in the Church of God. The house of God - This is spoken in allusion to the ancient tabernacle; which was God's house, and in which the symbol of the Divine Majesty dwelt. So the Christian Church is God's house, and every believer is a habitation of God through the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:14

Verse 14 14These things I write to thee He holds out to Timothy the hope of his coming, partly in order to encourage him, and partly in order to repress the insolence of those who grew more haughty on account of his absence. And yet he does not make any feigned promise to Timothy, or terrify others through false presence; for he fully expected that he would come, as it is probable that he came, if he wrote this epistle at the time when he passed through Phrygia, as is related by Luke. (Acts... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:15

Verse 15 15How thou oughtest to conduct thyself: By this mode of expression he commends the weight and dignity of the office; because pastors (66) may be regarded as stewards, to whom God has committed the charge of governing his house. If any person has the superintendence of a large house, he labors night and day with earnest solicitude, that nothing may go wrong through his neglect, or ignorance, or carelessness. If only for men this is done, how much more should it be done for God? In the... 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