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

2The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. 5But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 6He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.

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 3:12Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.
• Genesis 18:19I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then the Lord will give to Abraham what he promised him.”
• Joshua 24:15If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!”
• Psalms 101:2I will walk in the way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will conduct my business with integrity in the midst of my palace.
• Acts 10:2He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people and prayed to God regularly.
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

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