1 Timothy 3:4 NIV

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 3:4

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 3:4

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 3:4-6

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Elders and deacons (3:1-13)Churches of the New Testament era were self-governing bodies that were independent of each other and under the control of local elders. Elders were also known as shepherds, overseers, guardians, leaders and bishops, but these names represent only two words in the original Greek, presbuteroi and episkopoi.These two Greek words refer to the same office and people. For example (in the words of the RSV), in Acts 20:17 Paul sent for the elders (presbuteroi) of the Ephesian... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Timothy 3:4

ruleth . Greek. proistemi . See Romans 12:8 . children . App-108 . in . Greek. en App-104 . subjection. See 1 Timothy 2:11 , with. App-104 . gravity . See "honesty", 1 Timothy 2:2 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;The emphasis in this verse is not upon procreative ability, but upon the ability to rule, a well-disciplined family being the surest evidence of such a trait in one considered for the eldership. Some, discerning this, have gone so far as to declare that:The requirement is not that an overseer must have children, that a childless man could not be chosen, but that when he has a family, as most men have, any... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

1 Timothy 3:4-5. One that ruleth well his own house,— One that was a good προισταμενος, president, over his own family: which was one of the qualifications necessary for ο επισκοπος, an inspector or bishop over the church of GOD. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 3:4

4. ruleth—Greek, "presiding over." his own house—children and servants, as contrasted with "the church" (house) of God (1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:15) which he may be called on to preside over. having his children—rather as Greek, "having children (who are) in subjection" (Titus 1:6). gravity—propriety: reverent modesty on the part of the children [ALFORD]. The fact that he has children who are in subjection to him in all gravity, is the recommendation in his favor as one likely to rule well... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

1. Qualifications for elders 3:1-7The Ephesian church already had elders long before Paul wrote this letter (Acts 20:17-35)."If our identification of the false teachers as elders is correct, then Paul’s reason for this set of instructions is that Timothy must see to it that elders are living according to their appointment, that is, by these standards. At the same time, of course, the whole church will be listening in and will thus be given the grounds for discipline of erring elders as well as... read more