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(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap. 8Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

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 5:24Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later.
• 1 Samuel 2:24No, my sons, the news I hear the Lord’s people spreading is not good.
• Acts 6:3Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
• Acts 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.”
• Acts 22:12Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there,
• 3 John 1:12Everyone speaks well of Demetrius — even the truth itself. And we also 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? Don’t you judge those who are inside?
• Colossians 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.
• 1 Timothy 5:14Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.
• 1 Corinthians 10:32Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God,
• 2 Corinthians 6:3We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed.
• 2 Corinthians 8:21Indeed, we are giving careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.
• 1 Peter 4:14If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
• 1 Timothy 6:9But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

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