1 Timothy 3:4

1 Timothy 3:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
• New International Version (NIV)He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
• New King James Version (NKJV)one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence

Context of 1 Timothy 3:4

2For that reason, a leader of the church must live a life that everyone knows is good. He must be the husband of one wife. He must think seriously about how he lives and he must control himself well. He must be someone that people respect. He must be happy to have visitors in his home. He must be a good teacher. 3He should not drink too much wine. He must not get angry quickly or quarrel with people. Instead he should be kind to people. He must not want lots of money. He must take care of his own family. His children must obey him and respect him. 5A man must know how to take care of his own family. If he cannot do that, he will not be able to take care of God's people in the church. 6A leader of the church must not be someone who has believed in Christ for only a short time. Someone like that might boast that he is great and important. Then he would receive punishment, as the Devil did.

1 Timothy 3:4 word by word

τοῦ ἰδίου οἴκου καλῶς προϊστάμενον, τέκνα ἔχοντα ἐν ὑποταγῇ μετὰ πάσης σεμνότητος.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• One that rulethπροΐστημιproistēmi · to set beforeG4291
• wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573
• his ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
• houseοἶκοςoikos · house: householdG3624
• havingἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• his childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• subjectionὑποταγήhupotagē · submissionG5292
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• gravityσεμνότηςsemnotēs · dignityG4587

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:4

• 1 Timothy 3:12A deacon must be the husband of one wife. He must take care of his children and everyone who lives in his house.
• Genesis 18:19I have chosen him so that he will teach my message to his children and their families. He will teach them to do what is right and what is fair. Then I, the Lord, will do for Abraham everything that I have promised to him.’
• Joshua 24:15But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then you should choose another god to worship. Decide today! Will you serve the gods that your ancestors worshipped across the river? Will you serve the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living? You choose! But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.’
• Psalms 101:2I will be careful to live in a completely good way. When will you come to help me, Lord? In my own home, I will always be completely honest.
• Acts 10:2Cornelius was a good man. He and all his family served God faithfully. Cornelius prayed to God every day. He also gave money to help poor Jewish people.
• Philippians 4:8Now my friends, I want to say this to you. Fill your minds with thoughts about good things. Think about things that are true, clean, right and lovely. Always think about things which people know are very good.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The fourteenth qualification of a Christian bishop is, that he ruleth well his own house; ̈́, one who properly presides over and governs his own family. One who has the command, of his own house, not by sternness, severity, and tyranny, but with all gravity; governing his household by rule, every one knowing his own place, and each doing his own work, and each work having the proper time assigned for its beginning and end. This is a maxim of common sense…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4One that ruleth well his own house - This implies that a minister of the gospel would be, and ought to be, a married man. It is everywhere in the New Testament supposed that he would be a man who could be an example in all the relations of life. The position which he occupies in the church has a strong resemblance to the relation which a father sustains to his household; and a qualification to govern a family well, would be an evidence of a qualification…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5The church, seen as a household, shared similarities with a family household (3:15). An overseer's ability to manage one area showed his skill in the other (see also 3:12; 5:17; Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12). Greek and Roman households were united by family bonds with shared responsibilities, roles, and management. The household included relatives by blood living together and other dependents, such as household servants.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. ruleth--Greek, "presiding over." his own house--children and servants, as contrasted with "the church" (house) of God (1Ti 3:5, 15) which he may be called on to preside over. having his children--rather as Greek, "having children (who are) in subjection" (Tit 1:6). gravity--propriety: reverent modesty on the part of the children [Alford]. The fact that he has children who are in subjection to him in all gravity, is the recommendation in his favor as…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:4

• Bishop
• Children
• Church
• Commandments
• Family
• Minister, Christian
• Parents

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