1 Timothy 3:3-4 KJV

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

Verse 3 3Not addicted to wine. By the word πάροινον, (56) which is here used, the Greeks denote not merely drunkenness, but any intemperance in guzzling wine. And, indeed, to drink wine excessively is not only very unbecoming in a pastor, but commonly draws along with it many things still worse; such as quarrels, foolish attitudes, unchaste conduct, and other things which it is not necessary to describe. But the contrast which is added shortly afterwards, shews that Paul goes farther than... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

Verse 4 4Who ruleth well his own house Hence it is evident, that Paul does not demand that a bishop shall be unacquainted within human life, (59) but that he shall be a good and praiseworthy master of a household; for, whatever may be the admiration commonly entertained for celibacy and a philosophical life altogether removed from ordinary custom, yet wise and thoughtful men are convinced by experience, that they who are not ignorant of ordinary life, but are practiced in the duties of human... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:3

No brawler for not given to wine , A.V.; the R.T. omits the clause μὴ αἰσξρερδη ; gentle for patient , A.V.; contentious for a brawler , A.V.; no lover of money , for not covetous , A.V. No brawler ( μὴ πάροινον ); only here and Titus 1:7 ; but, as well as παροίνιος , common in classical Greek, in the sense of "quarrelsome over wine." In Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34 "wine-bibber" is οἰνοπότης . In 1 Peter 4:3 the word for "excess of wine"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:4

One that ruleth well his own house. The ἐπίσκοπος is one who has to preside over and rule ( προίστασθαι ) the house of God ( 1 Timothy 5:17 ; Romans 12:8 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 ), as the high priest was called "ruler of the house of God" ( 1 Chronicles 9:11 ; Nehemiah 11:11 ). So in Justin Martyr the bishop is called ὁ προεστῶς τῶν ἀδελφῶν ('Apology,' 11) and simply ὁ προεστῶς , and similarly in Hebrews 13:7 the clergy are οἱ ἡγούμενοι ὑμῶν , " ... read more

Albert Barnes

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

Not given to wine - Margin, “Not ready to quarrel and offer wrong, as one in wine.” The Greek word (πάροινος paroinos) occurs in the New Testament only here and in Titus 1:7. It means, properly, “by wine;” i. e., spoken of what takes place “by” or “over” wine, as revelry, drinking songs, etc. Then it denotes, as it does here, one who sits “by” wine; that is, who is in the habit of drinking it. It cannot be inferred, from the use of the word here, that wine was absolutely and entirely... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

One that ruleth well his own house - This implies that a minister of the gospel would be, and ought to be, a married man. It is everywhere in the New Testament supposed that he would be a man who could be an example in all the relations of life. The position which he occupies in the church has a strong resemblance to the relation which a father sustains to his household; and a qualification to govern a family well, would be an evidence of a qualification to preside properly in the church. It is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:2-3

1 Timothy 3:2-3. A bishop then Or an overseer of the flock of Christ, that he may be capable of such an office; must be blameless In every respect with regard to his moral character, since any thing which might be amiss in that would tend to bring a reproach upon his office, and greatly obstruct his usefulness; the husband of one wife This neither means that a bishop must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife; which is just as lawful for him to do as to marry a first,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:4-6

1 Timothy 3:4-6. One that ruleth well his own house That not only rules it, but rules it well, and keeps his family in good order: that rules it so as to promote religion and virtue in all its members; rules it calmly, but firmly; never using harshness where gentleness and love will produce the desired effect; having his children If he be a father; in subjection, with all gravity Or seriousness; for levity undermines all domestic authority: and he must thus rule his house both that he... read more

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:4

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:4-6

Group of Brands