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

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. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.

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 faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
• Genesis 18:19I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
• Joshua 24:15But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
• Psalms 101:2I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
• Acts 10:2He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
• Philippians 4:8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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