1 Timothy 3:7 - Exposition

Good testimony from for a good report of , A.V.; that for which , A.V. Good testimony ( μαρτυρίαν καλήν ; see 1 Timothy 5:10 ). So it is said of Timothy himself that ἐμαρτυρεῖτο , "he was well reported of by the brethren" ( Acts 16:2 ). In accordance with this rule, letters testimonial are required of all persons to be ordained, to the importance of character in a clergyman. Them that are without ( τῶν ἔξωθεν ); used in Matthew 23:1-39 . 27; Luke 11:39 ; 1 Peter 3:3 ; Revelation 11:2 , etc., of that; which is outside or external literally, as the outside of the cup, the outer ornament of the body, the outside of the sepulcher, the outer court of the temple. It is synonymous with the more common form, ἔξω . (For the phrase, "they that are without" ( οἱ ἔξω ), as applied to those who are not members of the Church, see Mark 4:11 ; John 9:34 , John 9:35 ; 1 Corinthians 5:12 , 1 Corinthians 5:13 ; Colossians 4:5 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:12 .) The opposite is ἔσω ἔσωθεν ( 1 Corinthians 5:12 ; Matthew 23:25 , etc.). So exoteric and esoteric , of doctrines intended respectively for the outside world or the inner circle of disciples. Reproach ( ὀνειδισμόν ); the reproaches anti revilings cast upon him by unbelievers ( Romans 15:3 ; Hebrews 10:33 ; Hebrews 11:26 ; Hebrews 13:13 ). The verb ὀνειδίζειν has the same sense, and so in classical Greek. This reproach is further described as the snare of the devil , because it is through these revilings that the devil seeks to impair the power of his ministry and frighten him from the exercise of it. The genitive τοῦ διαβόλου depends only upon πασίδα , not upon ὀνειδισμόν . The καὶ does not indicate that there are two separate things into which he falls, but adds, as a description of the ὀνειδισμός , that it is "a snare of the devil." The idea in 1 Peter 5:8 is analogous. There it is by afflictions that the devil seeks to devour the disciple who is weak in faith. Those afflictions might well be described as παγίδα τοῦ διαβόλου ," a snare of the devil," set for weak souls.