1Ti 3:1-7 | RWP | e4.org | Faithful is the saying ( πιστος ο λογος ). Here the phrase points to the preceding words (not like ) and should close the preceding paragraph. If a man seeketh ( ε τις ορεγετα ). Condition of first class, assumed as true. Present middle indicative of ορεγω , old verb to reach out after something, governing the genitive. In N.T. only here, ; . The office of a bishop ( επισκοπης ). Genitive case after ορεγετα . Late and rare word outside of LXX and N.T. (in a Lycaonian inscription). From επισκοπεω and means "over-seership" as in .

‏ 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Faithful is the saying ( πιστος ο λογος ). Here the phrase points to the preceding words (not like 1:15) and should close the preceding paragraph.

If a man seeketh ( ε τις ορεγετα ). Condition of first class, assumed as true. Present middle indicative of ορεγω, old verb to reach out after something, governing the genitive. In N.T. only here, 6:10; Heb 11:16.

The office of a bishop ( επισκοπης ). Genitive case after ορεγετα. Late and rare word outside of LXX and N.T. (in a Lycaonian inscription). From επισκοπεω and means "over-seership" as in Ac 1:20.

The bishop ( τον επισκοπον ). The overseer. Old word, in LXX, and inscriptions and papyri. Deissmann (Bible Studies, pp. 230f.) has shown it is applied to communal officials in Rhodes. See Ac 20:28 for its use for the elders (presbyters) in verse 17. So also in Tit 1:5, 7. See Php 1:1. The word does not in the N.T. have the monarchical sense found in Ignatius of a bishop over elders.

Without reproach ( ανεπιλημπτον ). Accusative case of general reference with δε and εινα. Old and common verbal ( α privative and επιλαμβανω, not to be taken hold of), irreproachable. In N.T. only here, 5:7; 6:14.

Of one wife ( μιας γυναικος ). One at a time, clearly.

Temperate ( νηφαλιον ). Old adjective. In N.T. only here, verse 11; Tit 2:2. But see νηφω, to be sober in 1Th 5:6, 8.

Soberminded ( σωφρονα ). Another old adjective (from σαος or σως, sound, φρην, mind) in N.T. only here, Tit 1:8; 2:2, 5.

Orderly ( κοσμιον ). See on 2:9. Seemly, decent conduct.

Given to hospitality ( φιλοξενον ). Old word (see φιλοξενια in Ro 12:13), from φιλος and ξενος, in N.T. only here, Tit 1:8; 1Pe 4:9.

Apt to teach ( διδακτικον ). Late form for old διδασκαλικος, one qualified to teach. In Philo and N.T. only (1Ti 3:2; 2Ti 2:24).

No brawler ( μη παροινον ). Later word for the earlier παροινιος, one who sits long at (beside, παρα ) his wine. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:3.

No striker ( μη πληκτην ). Late word from πλησσω, to strike. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:3.

Gentle ( επιεικη ). See on Php 4:5 for this interesting word.

Not contentious ( αμαχον ). Old word (from α privative and μαχη ), not a fighter. In N.T. only here and Tit 3:2.

No lover of money ( αφιλαργυρον ). Late word ( α privative and compound φιλ-αργυρος ) in inscriptions and papyri (Nageli; also Deissmann, Light, etc., pp. 85f.). In N.T. only here and Heb 13:5.

Ruling ( προισταμενον ). Present middle participle of προιστημ, old word to place before and (intransitive as here) to stand before. See 1Th 5:12; Ro 12:8.

In subjection ( εν υποταγη ). See verse 11.

If a man knoweth not ( ε τις ουκ οιδεν ). Condition of first class, assumed as true.

How to rule ( προστηνα ). Second aorist active infinitive of same verb προιστημ and with οιδεν means "know how to rule," not "know that he rules."

How ( πως ). Rhetorical question expecting negative answer.

Shall he take care of ( επιμελησετα ). Future middle of επιμελεομα, old compound ( επ, direction of care towards) verb, in LXX, in N.T. only here and Lu 10:34f.

The church of God ( εκκλησιας θεου ). Anarthrous as in verse 15, elsewhere with article (1Co 10:32; 15:9; 2Co 1:1; Ga 1:13). The local church described as belonging to God. No one in N.T. but Paul (Ac 20:28) so describes the church. This verse is a parenthesis in the characteristics of the bishop.

Not a novice ( μη νεοφυτον ). Our "neophyte." Vernacular word from Aristophanes on, in LXX, and in papyri in the original sense of "newly-planted" ( νεοσ, φυω ). Only here in N.T.

Lest ( ινα μη ). "That not."

Being puffed up ( τυφωθεις ). First aorist passive participle of τυφοω, old word (from τυφος, smoke, pride), to raise a smoke or mist (a smoke-screen of pride). In N.T. only here; 6:4; 2Ti 3:4.

He fall into ( εμπεση εις ). Second aorist active subjunctive with ινα μη, negative purpose, of εμπιπτω, old verb, to fall into. Note both εν and εις as in Mt 12:11; Lu 10:36.

The condemnation of the devil ( κριμα του διαβολου ). See Ro 3:8 for κριμα. Best to take του διαβολου as objective genitive, though subjective in verse 7, "the condemnation passed on or received by the devil" (not just "the slanderer," any slanderer).

From them that are without ( απο των εξωθεν ). "From the outside (of the church) ones." Paul's care for the witness of outsiders is seen in 1Th 4:12; 1Co 10:32; Col 4:5. There are, of course, two sides to this matter.

Reproach ( ονειδισμον ). Late word from ονειδιζω. See Ro 15:3.

The snare of the devil ( παγιδα του διαβολου ). Here subjective genitive, snare set by the devil. Παγις, old word from πηγνυμ, to make fast. So a snare for birds (Lu 21:35), any sudden trap (Ro 11:9), of sin (1Ti 6:9), of the devil (1Ti 3:7; 2Ti 2:26). Ancients used it of the snares of love. The devil sets special snares for preachers (conceit verse 6, money 6:9, women, ambition).