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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”

Context of 1 Timothy 3:1

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of 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 1:15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
• 1 Timothy 4:9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.
• 2 Timothy 2:11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
• 1 Timothy 3:2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
• Acts 1:20“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’
• Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
• 1 Peter 2:25For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
• Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
• Hebrews 12:15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
• 1 Peter 4:15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
• 1 Peter 5:2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
• Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
• Luke 15:10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
• Romans 11:13I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry
• Ephesians 4:12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, 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