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 trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not 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 trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
• 1 Timothy 4:9This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.
• 2 Timothy 2:11This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him.
• 1 Timothy 3:2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
• Acts 1:20Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
• Philippians 1:1This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
• 1 Peter 2:25Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
• Acts 20:28“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
• Hebrews 12:15Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
• 1 Peter 4:15If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.
• 1 Peter 5:2Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
• Proverbs 11:30The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
• Luke 15:10In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
• Romans 11:13I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,
• Ephesians 4:12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are 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