1 Timothy 3:1

1 Timothy 3:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
• New International Version (NIV)Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
• New King James Version (NKJV)This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

Context of 1 Timothy 3:1

This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.

1 Timothy 3:1 word by word

Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος· εἴ τις ἐπισκοπῆς ὀρέγεται, καλοῦ ἔργου ἐπιθυμεῖ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thisὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• a trueπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103
• sayingλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• a manτιςtis · oneG5100
• desireὀρέγωoregomai · to aspireG3713
• the office of a bishopἐπισκοπήepiskopē · oversightG1984
• he desirethἐπιθυμέωepithumeō · to long forG1937
• a goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• workἔργονergon · workG2041

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:1

• 1 Timothy 1:15This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them.
• 1 Timothy 4:9This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
• 2 Timothy 2:11This saying is trustworthy: For if we died with him, we will also live with him;
• 1 Timothy 3:2An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
• Acts 1:20“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his dwelling become desolate; let no one live in it; and Let someone else take his position.
• Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
• 1 Peter 2:25For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
• Acts 20:28Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
• Hebrews 12:15Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.
• 1 Peter 4:15Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.
• 1 Peter 5:2Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly;
• Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but a cunning person takes lives.
• Luke 15:10I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
• Romans 11:13Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
• Ephesians 4:12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1This is a true saying - ̔ · This is a true doctrine. These words are joined to the last verse of the preceding chapter by several of the Greek fathers, and by them referred to the doctrine there stated. The office of a bishop - · The episcopacy, overseership or superintendency. The word , which we translate desire, signifies earnest, eager, passionate desire; and , which we translate desire, also signifies earnestly to desire or covet. It is strange that…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1This is a trite saying - Greek, “Faithful is the word” - the very phrase which is used in 1 Timothy 1:15; see the notes on that verse. The idea here is, that it was worthy of credence; it was not to be doubted. If a man desire - Implying that there would be those who would wish to be put into the ministry. The Lord, undoubtedly, by his Spirit, often excites an earnest and irrepressible desire to preach the gospel - a desire so strong, that he in whom it…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The qualifications and behaviour of gospel bishops. (1-7) And of deacons and their wives. (8-13) The reason of writing about these, and other church affairs. (14-16) Verses 1-7 If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1trustworthy saying: See study note on 1:15. an overseer: Some translations assume that overseer and church leader refer to the same role (see study note on 5:17–18; see Titus 1:5–7). In the Greek and Roman world, an overseer was a supervisor in religious, civic, or military contexts. The traditional translation of this term is "bishop" (see King James Version).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-161Ti 3:1-16. Rules as to Bishops (Overseers) AND Deacons. The Church, and the Gospel Mystery Now Revealed to It, Are the End of All Such Rules. 1. Translate as Greek, "Faithful is the saying." A needful preface to what follows: for the office of a bishop or overseer in Paul's day, attended as it was with hardship and often persecution, would not seem to the world generally a desirable and "good work." desire--literally, "stretch one's self forward to…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:1

• Ambition
• Church
• Minister, Christian

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