Darby Bible
1 Timothy 3:1
1The word [is] faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work.
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
The word [is] faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work. 2The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach; 3not given to excesses from wine, not a striker, but mild, not addicted to contention, not fond of money,
Read all of 1 Timothy 31 Timothy 3:1 word by word
Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος· εἴ τις ἐπισκοπῆς ὀρέγεται, καλοῦ ἔργου ἐπιθυμεῖ.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:1
- 1 Timothy 1:15Faithful [is] the word, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am [the] first.
- 1 Timothy 4:9The word [is] faithful and worthy of all acceptation;
- 2 Timothy 2:11The word [is] faithful; for if we have died together with [him], we shall also live together;
- 1 Timothy 3:2The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach;
- Acts 1:20For it is written in [the] book of Psalms, Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it; and, Let another take his overseership.
- Philippians 1:1Paul and Timotheus, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with [the] overseers and ministers;
- 1 Peter 2:25For ye were going astray as sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
- Acts 20:28Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which he has purchased with the blood of his own.
- Hebrews 12:15watching lest [there be] any one who lacks the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and many be defiled by it;
- 1 Peter 4:15Let none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or as overseer of other people's matters;
- 1 Peter 5:2shepherd the flock of God which [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity, but willingly; not for base gain, but readily;
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.
- Luke 15:10Thus, I say unto you, there is joy before the angels of God for one repenting sinner.
- Romans 11:13For I speak to you, the nations, inasmuch as I am apostle of nations, I glorify my ministry;
- Ephesians 4:12for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to [the] work of [the] ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ;
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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