1 Timothy 3:6

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:6

Not a novice ,.... Or one newly planted, the Arabic version adds, "in the faith"; meaning not a young man, for so was Timothy himself; but a young professor and church member; one that is lately come to the knowledge of the truth, and has just embraced and professed it, and become a member of a church, a new plant there: so the Hebrew word נטע , "a plant", is by the Septuagint in Job 14:9 rendered by this very word. The reason why such a person should not be a bishop, elder, or pastor of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:6

Fifteenth - It is required that he be not a novice - Νεοφυτον· Not a young plant, not recently ingrafted, that is, one not newly converted to the faith; (old MS. Bible); one who has been of considerable standing in the Christian Church, if he have the preceding qualifications, may be safely trusted with the government of that Church. It is impossible that one who is not long and deeply experienced in the ways of God can guide others in the way of life. Hence presbyters or elders were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:6

Verse 6 6Not a novice There being many men of distinguished ability and learning who at that time were brought to the faith, Paul forbids that such persons shall be admitted to the office of a bishop, as soon as they have made profession of Christianity. And he shews how great would be the danger; for it is evident that they are commonly vain, and full of ostentation, and, in consequence of this, haughtiness and ambition will drive them headlong. What Paul says we experience; for “novices” have... 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

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