1 Timothy 3:1

Qualifications of Overseers

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a¹ bishop, he desires a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

3 not¹ given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not³ covetous;

4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence

5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

6 not a¹ novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the ^asnare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, ^anot given to much wine, not greedy for money,

9 holding the¹ mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

<< 1 Timothy 2:15

1 Timothy 3:2 >>

What Does 1 Timothy 3:1 Mean?

Desiring the role of an elder, overseer, or pastor is not wrong when motives are proper; it is not an improper ambition. Serving as a pastor in a church and helping the people constitute good works, provided they are pursued in a godly manner.

1 Timothy 3:1

It is not wrong to want to be an elder, or an overseer, or a pastor. If one's motives are right, it is not an improper ambition. Being a pastor of a church and helping the people are good works, if they are pursued in a godly way.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Countering Presumptuousness

<< 1 Timothy 2:15

1 Timothy 3:2 >>