1 Timothy 3:7

1 Timothy 3:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
• New International Version (NIV)He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Context of 1 Timothy 3:7

5(for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?). 6and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride]. And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap. 8Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, 9but upholding and fully understanding the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity].

1 Timothy 3:7 word by word

δεῖ δὲ καὶ μαρτυρίαν καλὴν ἔχειν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔξωθεν, ἵνα μὴ εἰς ὀνειδισμὸν ἐμπέσῃ καὶ παγίδα τοῦ διαβόλου.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Moreoverδέde · thenG1161
• heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• mustδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• a goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• reportμαρτυρίαmarturia · testimonyG3141
• ofἀπόapo · away fromG575
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• them which are withoutἔξωθενexōthen · outsideG1855
• lestἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• lestμήmē · notG3361
• he fallἐμπίπτωempiptō · to fall intoG1706
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• reproachὀνειδισμόςoneidismos · reproachG3680
• the snareπαγίςpagis · trapG3803
• of the devilδιάβολοςdiabolos · devilish/the DevilG1228

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:7

• 1 Timothy 5:24The sins of some people are conspicuous, leading the way for them into judgment [so that they are clearly not qualified for ministry]; but the sins of others appear later [for they are hidden and follow behind them].
• 1 Samuel 2:24No, my sons; for the report that I keep hearing from the passers-by among the Lord’s people is not good.
• Acts 6:3Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
• Acts 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man well spoken of by all the Jewish people, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear what you have to say.”
• Acts 22:12“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
• 3 John 1:12Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
• 1 Corinthians 5:12For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]?
• Colossians 4:5Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].
• 1 Timothy 5:14So I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and not give opponents of the faith any occasion for slander.
• 1 Corinthians 10:32Do not offend Jews or Greeks or even the church of God [but live to honor Him];
• 2 Corinthians 6:3we put no obstruction in anyone’s path, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
• 2 Corinthians 8:21For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].
• 1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify].
• 1 Timothy 6:9But those who [are not financially ethical and] crave to get rich [with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth] fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction [leading to personal misery].

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7The 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without - Who are without the church; that is, of those who are not Christians. This includes, of course, “all” classes of those who are not Christians - pagans, infidels, Jews, moral people, and scoffers. The idea is, that he must have a fair reputation with them for integrity of character. His life must be in their view upright. He must not be addicted to anything which they regard as inconsistent…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7Paul wanted Christians to live in a way that others outside the church could respect (see also 6:1; Titus 2:5–10). snare of the devil: might relate to the false teachers (see 1 Timothy 1:20; 5:14–15; 6:9; 2 Timothy 2:26).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. a good report--Greek, "testimony." So Paul was influenced by the good report given of Timothy to choose him as his companion (Ac 16:2). of them which are without--from the as yet unconverted Gentiles around (1Co 5:12; Col 4:5; 1Th 4:12), that they may be the more readily won to the Gospel (1Pe 2:12), and that the name of Christ may be glorified. Not even the former life of a bishop should be open to reproach [Bengel]. reproach and the snare of the…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:7

• Bishop
• Church
• Commandments
• Minister, Christian
• Satan

In the dictionaries

• Bishop
• Blameless
• Controversy
• Covetous
• Degree
• Hospitality
• Mystery
• Novice
• Rule
• Wife

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings