1 Timothy 3:7 NIV

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 3:7

Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without , That is, "without the church", as the Arabic version reads; for wicked men, though they dislike the principles and profession of godly ministers, and despise their office, yet cannot but speak well of their becoming life and conversation. And this part of their character is necessary to invite persons to hear them, and to recommend their ministry to them, as well as for the reasons that follow: lest he fall into reproach ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:7

The sixteenth requisite is, that he should have a good report of them which are without - That he should be one who had not been previously a profligate, or scandalous in his life. Such a person, when converted, may be a worthy private member of religious society; but I believe God rarely calls such to the work of the ministry, and never to the episcopate. Them that are without are the Jews, Gentiles, and the unconverted of all kinds. For the meaning of this term see the note on Colossians... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:7

Verse 7 7A good report from those who are without. This appears to be very difficult, that a religious man should have, as witnesses of his integrity, infidels themselves, who are furiously mad to tell lies against us. But the apostle means, that, so far as relates to external behavior, even unbelievers themselves shall be constrained to acknowledge him to be a good man; for, although they groundlessly slander all the children of God, yet they cannot pronounce him to be a wicked man, who leads... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Group of Brands