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 is a statement that can be trusted: If anyone sets his heart on being a bishop, he desires something excellent. 2A bishop must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife, be sober, use good judgment, be respectable, be hospitable, and be able to teach. 3He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but he must be gentle. He must not be quarrelsome or love money.

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 is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner.
• 1 Timothy 4:9This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance.
• 2 Timothy 2:11This is a statement that can be trusted: If we have died with him, we will live with him.
• 1 Timothy 3:2A bishop must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife, be sober, use good judgment, be respectable, be hospitable, and be able to teach.
• Acts 1:20You’ve read in Psalms, ‘Let his home be deserted, and let no one live there,’ and ‘Let someone else take his position.’ “Therefore, someone must be added to our number to serve with us as a witness that Jesus came back to life.
• Philippians 1:1From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To God’s people in the city of Philippi and their bishops and deacons—to everyone who is united with Christ Jesus.
• 1 Peter 2:25You were like lost sheep. Now you have come back to the shepherd and bishop of your lives.
• Acts 20:28Pay attention to yourselves and to the entire flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops to be shepherds for God’s church which he acquired with his own blood.
• Hebrews 12:15Make sure that everyone has kindness from God so that bitterness doesn’t take root and grow up to cause trouble that corrupts many of you.
• 1 Peter 4:15If you suffer, you shouldn’t suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker.
• 1 Peter 5:2Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve.
• Proverbs 11:30The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.
• Luke 15:10So I can guarantee that God’s angels are happy about one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts.”
• Romans 11:13Now, I speak to you who are not Jewish. As long as I am an apostle sent to people who are not Jewish, I bring honor to my ministry.
• Ephesians 4:12Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and 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