1 Timothy 3:15 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 3:15

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 3:15

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 3:15

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:15

Men ought to behave themselves for thou oughtest to behave thyself , A.V. To behave thyself ( ἀναστρέφεσθαι ); variously rendered, both in the A.V. and the R.V., "to have one's conversation," "to live," "to pass (one's time)," "to be used" ( Hebrews 10:33 ). It is literally "to go up and down" a given place, "backwards and forwards," hence "to dwell in it." The substantive ἀναστροφή , in the thirteen places where it occurs in the New Testament, is always rendered... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:15

"That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God." "Behavior" seems a commonplace word enough, and we often assign it a subordinate place in religion. It is, however, a word large as "character." It is a vocabulary in itself. It is not "do" havior, but "be" havior! What I do may be accidental; what I am is everything. Paul has been addressing pastors, deacons, women professing godliness, and wives. He has dealt with marriage, and the ruling of children; and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long - Paul appears to have been uncertain how long circumstances would require him to be absent. He expected to return, but it was possible that his hope of returning soon would be disappointed.That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself - That is, that he might have just views about settling the affairs of the church.In the house of God - This does not mean in a place of public worship, nor does it refer to propriety of deportment there. It refers rather to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:14-16

1 Timothy 3:14-16. These things Concerning the character of persons fit to be intrusted with the office of bishops or deacons; I write, hoping to come to thee shortly It seems evident from hence, that Paul intended to have come back to Timothy at Ephesus in a little time, but was providentially called another way; but, as Doddridge observes, it can by no means be concluded from hence that Paul wrote this epistle to Timothy after his imprisonment at Rome. But if I tarry long If I am... read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:14-15

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 3:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:14-16

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