Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
3. not given to wine ] Margin R.V. expresses exactly the usage of the word, ‘not quarrelsome over wine,’ like the term so painfully familiar in our police-courts, ‘drunk and disorderly’: again peculiar to these Epp., here and Tit 1:7. For the simpler word with St Paul, cf. 1Co 5:11, ‘a drunkard,’ Eph 5:18, ‘be not drunken with wine.’
no striker ] The necessity for specifying this and the preceding qualification, so elementary as they seem to us, shews a state of society in which the plainest, most obvious meaning for ‘husband of one wife’ is the one most likely to have been meant, as argued above.
not greedy of filthy lucre ] Omit as not having ms. support and having come in from the parallel passage Tit 1:7.
patient, not a brawler ] R.V. rightly ‘ gentle, not contentious,’ ‘patient’ being too weak an attitude of the mind, and ‘brawler’ going beyond the mental attitude; whereas both words express ‘an active attitude of the mind ’ in contrast to the acts of quarrelling and striking; ‘ gentle,’ i.e. ‘anxious to shew considerateness and forbearance’ according to the now well-known meaning of Php 4:5, ‘forbearance,’ margin R.V. ‘gentleness,’ (cf. 1Pe 2:18), ‘offering to give up one’s just rights’: not contentious, not aggressive, averse to disputing, nearly as Conybeare renders ‘peaceable’; only here and Tit 3:2.
not covetous ] Rather, with R.V. no lover of money; the word only occurs here and in Heb 13:5, and represents the ‘avaricious’ rather than the ‘covetous,’ which is pleonekts, a frequent word with St Paul in his other epistles; cf. 1Co 5:10, ‘with the covetous and extortioners.’ See Trench, N. T. Syn. 24. The qualification interprets in a practical concrete form for daily life the Master s word, ‘He that loveth his life loseth it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Not given to wine – Margin, Not ready to quarrel and offer wrong, as one in wine. The Greek word ( paroinos) occurs in the New Testament only here and in Tit 1:7. It means, properly, by wine; i. e., spoken of what takes place by or over wine, as revelry, drinking songs, etc. Then it denotes, as it does here, one who sits by wine; that is, who is in the habit of drinking it. It cannot be inferred, from the use of the word here, that wine was absolutely and entirely prohibited; for the word does not properly express that idea. It means that one who is in the habit of drinking wine, or who is accustomed to sit with those who indulge in it, should not be admitted to the ministry. The way in which the apostle mentions the subject here would lead us fairly to suppose that he did not mean to commend its use in any sense; that he regarded its use as dangerous, and that he would wish the ministers of religion to avoid it altogether. In regard to its use at all, except at the communion or as a medicine, it may be remarked, that a minister will do no injury to himself or others by letting it entirely alone; he may do injury by indulging in it. No man is under any obligation of courtesy or Christian duty to use it; thousands of ministers of the gospel have brought ruin on themselves, and disgrace on the ministry, by its use; compare Mat 11:9 note, and 1Ti 5:23 note.
No striker – He must be a peaceable, not a quarrelsome man. This is connected with the caution about the use of wine, probably, because that is commonly found to produce a spirit of contention and strife.
Not greedy of filthy lucre – Not contentious or avaricious. Greek, Not desirous of base gain. The desire of this is condemned everywhere in the New Testament; but it is especially the duty of a minister of the gospel to be free from it. He has a right to a support (see the notes on 1 Cor. 9); but there is nothing that more certainly paralyzes the usefulness of a minister of the gospel than the love of money. There is an instinctive feeling in the human bosom that such a man ought to be actuated by a nobler and a purer principle. As avarice, moreover, is the great sin of the world – the sin that sways more hearts, and does more to hinder the progress of the gospel, than all others combined – it is important in the highest degree that the minister of religion should be an example of what men should be, and that he, by his whole life, should set his face against that which is the main obstruction to the progress of that gospel which he is appointed to preach.
But patient – Modest, mild, gentle. See the word (Greek) in Phi 4:5; Tit 3:2; Jam 3:17, and 1Pe 2:18, where it is rendered gentle. The word means that the minister of the gospel should be a man of mild and kind demeanor, such as his Master was.
Not a brawler – compare 2Ti 2:24. That is, he should not be a man given to contention, or apt to take up a quarrel. The Greek is, literally, Not disposed to fight.
Not covetous – Greek, Not a lover of silver; that is, of money. A man should not be put into the ministry who is characteristically a lover of money. Such a one, no matter what his talents may be, has no proper qualification for the office, and will do more harm than good.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. An eighth article in his character is, he must not be given to wine; . This word not only signifies one who is inordinately attached to wine, a winebibber or tippler, but also one who is imperious, abusive, insolent, whether through wine or otherwise. Kypke contends for this latter acceptation here. See his proofs and examples.
Ninth. – He must be no striker; , not quarrelsome; not ready to strike a person who may displease him; no persecutor of those who may differ from him; not prone, as one wittily said,
“To prove his doctrine orthodox
By apostolic blows and knocks.”
It is said of Bishop Bonner, of infamous memory, that, when examining the poor Protestants whom he termed heretics, when worsted by them in argument he was used to smite them with his fists, and sometimes scourge and whip them. But though he was a most ignorant and consummate savage, yet from such a scripture as this he might have seen the necessity of surrendering his mitre.
Tenth. – He must not be greedy of filthy lucre; , not desirous of base gain; not using base and unjustifiable methods to raise and increase his revenues; not trading or trafficking; for what would be honourable in a secular character, would be base and dishonourable in a bishop. Though such a trait should never appear in the character of a Christian prelate, yet there is much reason to suspect that the words above are not authentic; they are omitted by ADFG, many others, the Syriac, all the Arabic, Coptic, (and Sahidic,) AEthiopic, Armenian, later Syriac, (but it appears in the margin,) the Vulgate and Itala, and by most of the Greek fathers. Griesbach has left it out of the text, in which it does not appear that it ever had a legitimate place. The word covetous, which we have below, expresses all the meaning of this; and it is not likely that the apostle would insert in the same sentence two words of the same meaning, because they were different in sound. It appears to have been borrowed from 1Tim 3:8.
Eleventh. – He must be patient; , meek, gentle; the opposite to , a quarrelsome person, which it immediately follows when the spurious word is removed. Where meekness and patience do not reign, gravity cannot exist, and the love of God cannot dwell.
Twelfth. – He must not be a brawler; , not contentious or litigious, but quiet and peaceable.
Thirteenth. – He must not be covetous; , not a lover of money; not desiring the office for the sake of its emoluments. He who loves money will stick at nothing in order to get it. Fair and foul methods are to him alike, provided they may be equally productive. For the sake of reputation he may wish to get all honourably; but if that cannot be, he will not scruple to adopt other methods. A brother heathen gives him this counsel: “Get money if thou canst by fair means; if not, get it by hook and by crook.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Not given to wine; the word signifieth a common tippler, whether he drinks to the loss of his reason or no; a wine-bibber, that makes bibbing at a tavern his trade: no sitter at wine.
No striker; no quarreller, that cannot keep his fists off him that provoketh him.
Not greedy of filthy lucre; one that abhors all filthy and dishonest gain, any kind of way.
But patient; epieikh, a fair, equal man, who will not exact the rigour of what he might; a patient, gentle, courteous man, so far from contention, that he will rather part with what is his right.
Not a brawler; amacon, one that will not fight, whether it be with his hand or tongue.
Not covetous; one that doth not love silver, that is, not with an immoderate, sinful love, so as to get it any way.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Not given to wineThe Greekincludes besides this, not indulging in the brawling,violent conduct towards others, which proceeds from being givento wine. The opposite of “patient” or (Greek)”forbearing,” reasonable to others (see on Php4:5).
no strikerwith eitherhand or tongue: not as some teachers pretending a holy zeal (2Co11:20), answering to “not a brawler” or fighter(compare 1Ki 22:24; Neh 13:25;Isa 58:4; Act 23:2;2Ti 2:24; 2Ti 2:25).
not covetousGreek,“not a lover of money,” whether he have much or little (Tit1:7).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Not given to wine,…. One that does not sit at it, or is continually drinking it, and is intemperate in the use of it; otherwise it is lawful for persons in such an office to drink wine, and sometimes absolutely necessary; see 1Ti 5:23 it signifies one that is not given to much wine, as in 1Ti 3:8 is not addicted to it, or a follower of it; the Syriac version renders it, “who does not transgress over wine”, or go beyond due bounds in the use of it, who is not immoderate in it; the Arabic version renders it, “not insolent through wine”, as one that is heated with it is fierce and furious, and wrangling and quarrelsome, and often very mischievous and injurious; and this sense is followed by some.
No striker; either with his hands, so the Syriac version, “whose hand is not swift to strike”; not one who is nimble and ready at it, who no sooner is abused or injured, but he lifts up his hands and strikes; is but a word and a blow: or with his tongue; so the Arabic version, “not wounding with his tongue”; being too sharp and severe in the admonitions and reproofs of weak brethren, or fallen believers; and especially, he ought not to use scurrilous, reproachful, and contumelious language to any; see Jer 18:18.
Not greedy of filthy lucre; not covetous of getting money, of amassing wealth and riches together; or desirous of popular applause and glory from men. This clause is not in the Alexandrian copy, nor in five of Beza’s manuscripts and other copies, nor is it in the Vulgate Latin version, nor in any of the Oriental versions; it seems to be transcribed from Tit 1:7. And indeed it is unnecessary here; since the same is expressed by the word “covetous”, at the end of the verse, and makes that a tautology; and moreover, by leaving out this clause, the opposition appears more manifest, between “no striker” and what follows,
but patient; one who patiently bears all reproaches and injuries, puts up with affronts, and gives up what is his right and due, rather than contend, quarrel, and strike; who is patient towards all men, and does not bear hard on those that have offended, but is moderate and mild, and gentle in his censures, reproofs, and admonitions:
not a brawler; not a quarrelsome litigious person, given to fighting, either with the fist or sword, or any other weapon:
not covetous; or a lover of money in an immoderate way, greedy of worldly substance and riches, and insatiable in his desires after them; niggardly, sordid, and illiberal; acting a mercenary part; seeking his own things, and not the things of Christ; his gain from his quarter, and not the good of souls; and withholding from himself, from his family, and the poor, what ought to be enjoyed by them. Whereas, on the other hand, he ought to be generous and liberal, hospitable and charitable, and ready to communicate on all occasions, according to his abilities.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
No brawler ( ). Later word for the earlier , one who sits long at (beside, ) his wine. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:3.
No striker ( ). Late word from , to strike. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:3.
Gentle (). See on Php 4:5 for this interesting word.
Not contentious (). Old word (from privative and ), not a fighter. In N.T. only here and Tit 3:2.
No lover of money (). Late word ( privative and compound –) in inscriptions and papyri (Nageli; also Deissmann, Light, etc., pp. 85f.). In N.T. only here and Heb 13:5.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Given to wine [] . Only here and Tit 1:7. The verb paroinein to behave ill at wine, to treat with drunken violence, is found in Xenophon, Aeschines, Aristophanes, and Aristotle. Once in LXX, Isa 41:12. Rev. renders brawler, which is not definite enough. Better, quarrelsome over wine. See Aristoph. Acharn. 981 : paroiniov ajnhr efu which Frere renders “behaved in such a beastly way.” Cicero, ad Att 10 10, uses paroinikwv = insolently.
Striker [] . Only here and Tit 1:7. Some soften down the meaning into a pugnacious or combative person. In any case, it is a peculiar state of things which calls out such admonitions to Bishops. Not greedy of filthy lucre. Omit.
Patient [] . Better, forbearing. The word occurs Phi 4:5, and ejpieikia forbearance in 2Co 10:1, where it is associated with prauthv meekness. From eijkov reasonable. Hence, not unduly rigorous; not making a determined stand for one’s just due. In 1Pe 2:18; Jas 3:17, it is associated with ajgaqov kindly, and eujpeiqhv easy to be entreated. It occurs in LXX
Not a brawler [] . Better, not contentious.
Not covetous [] . Only here and Heb 13:5. o LXX, o Class. Filargurov money – loving, Luk 16:14; 2Ti 3:2. Rend. not a money – lover. The word for covetous is pleonekthv. For the distinction see on Rom 1:29.
This admonition is cited by some writers in support of the view that the original ejpiskopov was simply a financial officer. It is assumed that it was prompted by the special temptations which attached to the financial function. Admitting that the episcopal function may have included the financial interests of the church, it could not have been confined to these. It can hardly be supposed that, in associations distinctively moral and religious, one who bore the title of overseer should have been concerned only with the material side of church life. 103
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Not given to wine- (me paroinon) -Not an excessive drinker,” not quarrelsome over wine, or sitting or reclining alongside wine.
2) “No striker” (me plekton) “Not a striker-one who strikes back impulsively.” Tit 1:7.
3) “Not greedy of filthy lucre” (aphilarguron) “Not avaricious,” a money-grabber, gluttonous after material gain, 1Ti 6:9-10. This statement is omitted in the original manuscripts, the idea is from Tit 1:7.
4) “But patient” (alla epieike) “but forbearing,” able to get along with weaknesses of others, Eph 4:2; Eph 6:9; Col 3:13.
5) “Not a brawler” (amachon) “uncontentious, gentle, a bishopric trait, Tit 1:7, as well as good Christian conduct, Tit 3:2; 2Ti 2:24.
6) “Not covetous” (aphilarguron) “not covetous of material gain, not given to petty theft, Eph 5:5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3 Not addicted to wine. By the word πάροινον, (56) which is here used, the Greeks denote not merely drunkenness, but any intemperance in guzzling wine. And, indeed, to drink wine excessively is not only very unbecoming in a pastor, but commonly draws along with it many things still worse; such as quarrels, foolish attitudes, unchaste conduct, and other things which it is not necessary to describe. But the contrast which is added shortly afterwards, shews that Paul goes farther than this.
Not a striker, not wickedly desirous of gain (57) As he contrasts with “a striker” one who is not quarrelsome, and with him who is covetous of dishonest gain ( ἀφιλάργυρον) one who is not covetous, so with τῷ παροίνῳ, him who is addicted to wine, he contrasts one who is gentle or kind. The true interpretation is that which is given by Chrysostom, that men of a drunken and fierce disposition ought to be excluded from the office of a bishop. As to the opinion given by Chrysostom, that “a striker” means one who wounds with the tongue, (that is, who is guilty of slander or of outrageous reproaches,) I do not admit it. Nor am I moved by his argument, that it will be no great matter, if the bishop do not strike with the hand; for I think that here he reproves generally that fierceness which is often found in the military profession, and which is utterly unbecoming in the servants of Christ. It is well known to what ridicule they expose themselves, who are more ready to strike a blow with the fist, and — we might even say — to draw the sword, than to settle the disputes of others by their own sedate behavior. Strikers is therefore the term which he applies to those who deal much in threatenings, and are of a warlike temperament.
All covetous persons are wickedly desirous of gain; for, wherever covetousness is, there will also be that baseness of which the apostle speaks. “He who wishes to become rich wishes also to become rich soon.” (58) The consequence is, that all covetous persons, even though this is not openly manifest, apply their minds to dishonest and unlawful gains. Accordingly, he contrasts with this vice the contempt of money; as there is no other remedy by which it can be corrected. He who will not patiently and mildly endure poverty will never escape the disease of mean and sordid covetousness.
Mild and not quarrelsome He contrasts with “the striker” the man who is “not quarrelsome.” Mild — which, we have said, is contrasted with being “addicted to wine” — is the term applied to him who knows how to bear injuries with a gentle and moderate disposition, who forgives much, who passes by insults, who neither makes himself be dreaded through harsh severity, nor exacts with full rigor. Not quarrelsome, one who avoids disputes and quarrels; for, as he elsewhere writes,
“
the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome.” (2Ti 2:24.)
(56) “Some expositors, ancient and modern, take this to be equivalent to ὑβριστὴν or αὐθάδη; which is, indeed, much countenanced by three vices in this clause, standing opposed to the three virtues in the next. But considering that we have at 1Ti 3:8 the expression μή οἴνῳ προσέχοντας used of the deacons, here at least the physical sense must be included; and, according to every principle of correct exegesis, it must stand first. In the word πάροινος, the παρὰ means beyond, denoting excess. So the expression in Hab 2:5, ‘he transgresseth by wine.” — Bloomfield.
(57) “ Ne convoiteux de gain deshonneste.” — “Not covetous of dishonourable gain.”
(58) “ Dives fieri qui vult, Et cito vult fieri.” — Juvenal.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) Not given to wine.Drunkenness is scarcely alluded to here. It is rather a warning against choosing for the sacred office one given to frequenting noisy banquets, where wild and imprudent words are often spoken.
No striker.Probably something more than merely brawling and fighting may here be included. Not only must the pattern minister of the Lord never smite his brother believer, but he must also never wound his soul with cutting, unkind words.
Not greedy of filthy lucre.The Greek word thus translated does not occur in the older MSS. in this place.
But patient.Gods minister must be considerate toward the prejudices of others, forbearing, and gentle.
Not a brawler.Better rendered, not contentious. He must not be easily vexed; but must exercise a steady command over his temper, avoiding all wordy strife.
Not covetous.Literally, not a lover of money. The disinterested minister, who cares nothing for money for moneys sake, would ever stand out in all societies a strangely attractive figure.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Not given to wine Avoiding the stimulants that intoxicate, (according to the rule of 1Ti 5:23,) unless medical reasons interfere.
No striker The natural result of intoxication, and the natural tendency of the oriental temperament.
Greedy of filthy lucre Literal Greek, not silver-loving.
1Ti 3:3. No striker, &c. Instead of no striker, Dr. Heylin reads, not violent;not a lover of contention, or one who has so little government of himself, as passionately to fly out against others.
1Ti 3:3 . The positive characteristics are now followed by two that are negative (or three, according to the Rec. ): ] This word occurs only here and in Tit 1:7 . Though it is used (comp. , LXX. Isa 41:12 ) also in the wider sense, as equivalent to contumeliosus (Josephus, Antiq. vi. 10, where it stands opposed to the word ), yet there is here no sufficient ground for departing from its original sense. It is true that, as Bengel indicates, the afterwards seems to be in favour of the wider meaning here, without special reference to drunkenness; but the contrast is the same in the other case, if we only remember that does not mean simply “drunken,” but “impudent, arrogant in intoxication.” [119]
] This word also may be taken in a narrower and a wider sense. Here, as in Tit 1:7 , it denotes the passionate man who is inclined to come to blows at once over anything. With these two ideas there are three placed in contrast; not, however, in exact correspondence, for in that case the reading of the Rec. , , would be indispensable, and for this reading there is too little testimony; but in such a way that the conduct denoted in the one case is opposed to that in the other.
, ] In Tit 3:2 , as here, the first two expressions stand together. does not occur elsewhere in the N. T. does not mean “yielding,” for it does not come from , but from ( ).
The nearest meaning is “beseeming.” As used, however, it has mostly the sense of moderateness and gentleness (in Plutarch, Pyrrh. 23.
is used along with ). Luther rightly: “ mild .” is equivalent to peaceful; Luther: “not quarrelsome.”
(only here and in Heb 13:5 ; , 2Ti 3:2 and Luk 16:14 ; the substantive , 1Ti 6:10 ) lays stress on a point of which no hint was given before. It is joined with , since avarice necessarily brings strife with it.
[119] Comp. Aristophanes, Acharnians , 981, where the scholiast explains it ; see Pape on the word.
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Ver. 3. Not given to wine ] No ale stake, tavern haunter, that sits close at it, till the wine inflame him.
No striker ] Either with tongue or hand. Such as were Timotheus Herulus, A. D. 467; Pope Julius III, who cast away his keys, and girt on his sword; Bishop Bonner, who usually buffeted the poor martyrs brought before him, pulling off their beards, &c. Cognata vitia sunt vinolentia et violentia, sicut et magna cognatio est, ut rei, sit nominis, divitiis et vitiis.
Not greedy of filthy lucre ] So as to get by unjust arts and sinful practices, as the pope by allowing the stews in Rome, and elsewhere. See Fiscus Papalis by Crashaw.
But patient ] , Easily parting with his own right for peace’ sake, as Abraham did, as no covetous man will do.
No brawler ] Or wrangler, quarrelsome, like a cock of the game, that is still bloody with the blood of others and of himself.
Not covetous ] . Not a lover of silver; and that (Euclio-like) sits abrood upon his heaps of illgotten goods, and will part with nothing.
3 7 .] (His negative qualities are now specified; the positive ones which occur henceforth arising out of and explaining those negative ones):
3 .] not a brawler (properly, ‘ one in his cups ,’ ‘a man rendered petulant by much wine:’ , , Xen. Sympos. vi. 1. And perhaps the literal meaning should not be lost sight of. At the same time the word and its cognates were often used without reference to wine: see , – , – , in Palm and Rost’s Lex. As answers to , it will be best to extend the meaning to signify rather the character, than the mere fact, of ), not a striker (this word also may have a literal and narrower, or a metaphorical and wider sense. In this latter it is taken by Thdrt.: . But perhaps the coarser literal sense is better, as setting forth more broadly the opposite to the character of a Christian ), but (this contrast springs out of the two last, and is set off by them) forbearing (reasonable and gentle: , Thdrt. See note on Phi 4:5 , and Trench, N. T. Syn. xliii.; but correct his derivation, as in that note), not quarrelsome (cf. 2Ti 2:24 . Conyb.’s ‘ peaceable ’ is objectionable, as losing the negative character), not a lover of money (‘ liberal ,’ Conyb.: but this is still more objectionable: it is not the positive virtue of liberality but the negative one of abstinence from love of money, which, though it may lead to the other in men who have money, is yet a totally distinct thing. Thdrt.’s explanation, while true, is yet characteristic of an of later days: . , , , ):
1Ti 3:3 . ( no brawler , R.V., quarrelsome over wine , R.V. m.), and are similarly coupled together in Tit 1:7 . means violent temper , not specially excited by overindulgence in strong drink. In the time of Chrysostom and Theodoret manners had so far softened that it was felt necessary to explain the term figuratively, of “some who unseasonably smite the consciences of their brethren”. But see 2Co 11:20 .
, : gentle, not contentious . This pair, again of cognate adjectives is repeated in the general directions as to Christian conduct, Tit 3:2 . Compare 2Ti 2:24 (of the servant of the Lord). The corresponding episcopal virtues in Titus (1Ti 1:7 ) are , .
: In Titus the corresponding episcopal virtue is . See note on 1Ti 3:8 and Tit 1:7 .
Not. App-105.
given to wine. Greek. paroinos. Here and Tit 1:7,
no striker = not (Greek. me) a striker (Greek. plektes. Here and Tit 1:7).
not greedy, &c. The texts omit, the idea being expressed at the and of the verse.
patient. Greek. epieikes. See Php 1:4, Php 1:5,
not a brawler = not contentious. Greek. amachos. Here and Tit 3:2.
not covetous = not loving money. Greek. aphilarguros. Here and Heb 13:5,
3-7.] (His negative qualities are now specified; the positive ones which occur henceforth arising out of and explaining those negative ones):
1Ti 3:3. , not given to wine) , but patient, lenient, reasonable, is to be referred to this expression. For here, as everywhere else, not only signifies drunkenness, comp. 1Ti 3:8; Tit 2:3, but also the violent and unreasonable conduct towards others, proceeding from it.- , no striker) with the tongue or the hand. For there is nothing to prevent this word from being taken in its proper sense, 2Co 11:20, note.[24] Refer to it , but no brawler, not using the fists; comp. 2Ti 2:24.
[24] If any strike you on the face, under the plea of divine zeal; Isa 58:4; 1Ki 22:24; Neh 13:25; Act 23:2.-ED.
1Ti 3:3
no brawler,-[The margin says not quarrelsome over wine.] No more dangerous and hurtful practice is known to man than the use of strong drink. An elder must set a good example in all things.
no striker;-Ungoverned in temper, ready to resent insult or wrong, real or imaginary, quarrelsome, or ready to fight.
but gentle,-Not bitter and impatient, but kind in manners even to the froward and unpleasant.
not contentious,-This does not mean that one is not to stand and contend for the truth, but many are ready to contend over unimportant matters. Such always live in foment and strife. Even truth and right should not be maintained in a contentious spirit.
no lover of money;-not willing to use wrong means to obtain money, not anxious for sudden riches.
Not given to wine: or, Not ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine, 1Ti 3:8, Lev 10:9, Isa 5:11, Isa 5:12, Isa 28:1, Isa 28:7, Isa 56:12, Eze 44:21, Mic 2:11, Mat 24:45-51, Luk 12:42-46, Luk 21:34-36, Eph 5:18, Tit 1:7, Tit 2:3
no: 2Ti 2:24, 2Ti 2:25, Tit 1:7
not greedy: Pro 1:19, Pro 15:27, Isa 56:11, Jud 1:11
filthy: 1Ti 3:8, 1Sa 8:3, Tit 1:7, Tit 1:11, 1Pe 5:2
patient: 1Ti 6:11, Ecc 7:8, 1Th 5:14, 2Ti 2:24, Rev 1:9
a brawler: Tit 3:2, Jam 4:1, *marg.
not covetous: 1Sa 2:15-17, 2Ki 5:20-27, Jer 6:13, Jer 8:10, Mic 3:5, Mic 3:11, Mal 1:10, Mat 21:13, Joh 10:12, Joh 10:13, Joh 12:5, Joh 12:6, Act 8:18-21, Act 20:33, Rom 16:18, 2Pe 2:3, 2Pe 2:14, 2Pe 2:15, Rev 18:11-13
Reciprocal: Exo 18:21 – hating Lev 21:18 – a blind man Jdg 18:4 – hired me Neh 6:12 – hired him Isa 23:17 – and she shall Eze 22:12 – greedily Eze 44:15 – the sons Mat 26:15 – What 1Co 5:11 – or covetous Eph 4:31 – clamour Eph 5:3 – covetousness Phi 4:17 – because 1Th 2:5 – a cloak 1Ti 5:23 – General 1Ti 6:5 – supposing Heb 13:5 – conversation
1Ti 3:3. Not given to wine. In old times wine was used as a medicine (1Ti 5:23), and that was before the discovery of means for preserving it sweet. Hence the kind used was necessarily the fermented, except in the grape-growing season. But the amount needed for medical purposes (“a little wine”) would not make a man drunk. Thus if a person manifested drunkenness, it was evidence he was not using it for purposes of health. No striker. This word is from PLEKTES which Thayer defines as follows: “Bruiser, ready with a blow; a pugnacious [like a pugilist], contentious, quarrelsome person.” Groves defines it, “A striker, smiter, disturber; a reviler, calumniator [false accuser]; a boxer, pugilist; quarrelsome, turbulent; impetuous [rash], violent.” It means a man who wants to settle his arguments with his fists. Not greedy of filthy lucre. All but the first word is from AISCHROKERDES, which Thayer defines, “eager for base gain.” It is similar to the last word of the verse, except that our present word specializes on the idea of making money by any means, good or bad, while the other considers only the eager desire for money. A man who is so intent on making money that he shows he loves it, will not likely give proper attention to his duties as elder of a congregation. Patient means the elder should be mild and gentle in dealing with the members of his flock. He can do this without compromising the right or encouraging the wrong. A brawler is one who is contentious over matters that come up. This does not contradict the command to contend for the faith (Jud 1:3), but one should not insist in a quarrelsome spirit. Not covetous is explained in the forepart of this paragraph under lucre.
1Ti 3:3. The words imply that in the haste of the early organization of the Church, mistakes had been made which invested even such characters as those described with the office of a bishop or elder.
Not given to wine. The Greek word is sometimes used, it is said, for the petulant, quarrelsome temper as of a man in his cups, without implying that it actually proceeds from intoxication. There is no reason, however, for not receiving it in its full or literal meaning.
No striker. This condition seems from our modern point of view a strange one, but the history of not a few of the Councils of the Church (e.g. the Robber Council of Ephesus, A.D. 449) shows that even in a more advanced stage of Christian culture, it was not altogether needles, and the passing allusion in 2Co 11:20 (If a man smite you on the face) indicates that some of St. Pauls personal antagonists had had recourse to this form of argument, as well as to slander and self-assertion.
Not greedy of filthy lucre. The Greek word thus rendered is not found in the better MSS., and seems to have been inserted from Tit 1:7. Its precise meaning is rather that of one who seeks gain by base, disreputable means.
Patient. Better forbearing. The reasonable temper which does not insist even on actual rights, and still less on satisfaction for real or supposed injuries.
Not a brawler. The English word, though somewhat obsolete, expresses the meaning of the Greek, not quick in quarrel.
Not covetous. Somewhat too general, Not a lover of money.
The negative characater of a bishop now follows, showing what he must not be.
Not given to wine; that is, to much wine, no inordinate lover either of wine or strong drink, no wine-bibber, no sitter at wine in his own house, much less at taverns and public houses:
no striker, either with hands or tongue, no quarreller, that cannot keep his hand from hurting, no word-striker, no striker with the tongue, and passion, and anger; a word, we say, wounds deeper than a sword; the ministers of God may wound the consciences of men with the sword of the Spirit, but they must not wound the reputations of men with their own wrathful spirits; we must use our tongues rather to heal than wound, or if at any time to wound, it must be in order to healing:
not guilty of filthy lucre; no inordinate lover of money, which makes a man base and sordid, both in getting, keeping, and spending:
but patient, meek, and forbearing, not rigidly exacting his due, not acting summo jure, but rather parting with somewhat which in strictness may be his right for peace-sake;
not a brawler, or contentious person, often engaged in law-suits, but of a mild and peaceable disposition;
not covetous, or enslaved to the love of wealth; possess he may the good things of this life, but not be possessed by them.
Verse 3
Greedy of filthy lucre; eager after gain.
1Ti 3:3 : “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;”
8. “Not given to wine”: “not addicted to wine” is the translation of the NASB.
He should refrain from alcoholic beverages. Drinking is not acceptable to the Lord, the church or the world.
We have always taken a strong view toward drink of any kind. This is partly due to the reason that I was very close to alcoholism as a young man. I also see drinking as a very poor testimony to anyone that might know of it.
I have explained our position to saved and lost alike. The lost agree with me and many saved disagree.
Even within my own home, I have no desire to even have alcohol in the house, and I would trust that this would be your view as well in light of our societys overindulgence. We must be apart from the world in our appearance and life.
I spoke with a pastor in Nebraska that had confronted a church member whose house some teenagers had stolen liquor from, about his involvement with alcohol. The teens were in an accident because of the drink and the attitude of the member was, “Pastor, you get lost! What I do in my own home is my business and not yours!”
9. “No striker”: This seems to denote a person that is quick-tempered and who will strike out when angered. Not given to acts of physical violence. The word is derived from a word meaning to flatten.
Not taken to the fists to settle disputes. He should be able to settle things peaceably and quietly.
I was in a service one evening when the pastor finished his service with, “Does anyone have anything to say or add?” One of the women of the church challenged him slightly on one of his points. She did not push the subject but one of the board members did push it. He pushed it until he was on his feet and he and the pastor were arguing, somewhat heatedly. They did not come to blows over it, but the appearance was not much better than blows! They were red-faced and hollering while shaking their fingers at one another.
In our society there is the thought that the elder should not be a striker with words. Words can be just as devastating as blows from a fist.
The elder should control his temper and actions as well as his tongue.
10. “but gentle”: This is included in the list in the New American Standard Bible but not in the King James Version.
These two (no striker/but gentle) hint that the outward demeanor or appearance at all times should be on the meek side and not of the aggressive nature.
The elder should have his demeanor under control at all times. This requires that he be walking with the Lord at all times which will normally require a daily – early morning quiet time and some periodic adjustments throughout the day to his spiritual life.
As I view these standards I’m reminded of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22-23
CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT CONTROLLED BY SELF
_____________________________________________________
LOVE HATE, DISLIKE
JOY SORROW, DEPRESSION, BEING DOWN
PEACE TROUBLE, CONCERN, DOUBT
LONG SUFFERING IMPATIENT
GENTLENESS ROUGHNESS, HARSHNESS
GOODNESS BADNESS, EVIL
FAITH WORRY, DOUBT, CONCERN
MEEKNESS OUTWARD, OPINIONATED, PROUD
SELF CONTROL LOSS OF CONTROL
Which side do we tend to live on? The key is 1Jn 1:9 – confess and give the Holy Spirit control of your life. (also Eph 5:18-21 – being filled/controlled by the Holy Spirit)
11. “not greedy of filthy lucre”: There is a companion text you might want to read along with this thought 1Pe 5:1-3
Kent quotes Calvin, “He who wishes to become rich also wishes to become rich soon.” THE PASTORAL EPISTLES; Homer A. Kent, Jr., Th.D.; Moody Press; Chicago; 1958; P 133.
The church should watch for their pastor. They need not make him rich, yet they should watch for his welfare if they are going to have a full time pastor. I have seen some pastors and their families struggling to make ends meet while their church members were living in luxury.
The pastor should also look to the welfare of their congregation. If they see that the church is struggling, then maybe a part time job would be the answer. If a church is unable to meet the bills he can minister to the folks by working. I have also seen congregations unable to do anything for the work the church is supposed to be involved in, because their pastors salary was so high.
Don’t let money control your life because it will ultimately control your church as well.
Greedy has the idea of really desiring the money. Spending time trying to figure out ways of getting money.
The term filthy lucre is up for some discussion. Just what does it mean? Is it dirty money, or is it the idea that the greed for money is filthy, or is all money filthy.
The thought of money being filthy has some real possibilities, because it tends to pollute so many people. Actually the term filthy is left out of some translations.
The elder ought not be in the ministry for money nor indeed be in love with money. A well-balanced budget will help keep this problem away from the pastor.
I recently heard of a pastor that took a church and for several years kept hitting on the board for raises. Several a year, until the board had to ask the man to leave.
Just an observation, the pastor that is willing to work outside the church is probably one that desires to shepherd.
Someone told me of a church in Nebraska which had two pastors receiving $77,000 a year. The church was growing but the church did not want to build at the moment. Due to the churchs attendance the leaders were considering two services. The pastors refused to do two services on Sunday morning because they wanted their way. This was not logical and it was putting the church in a bind – if they decided to go ahead and build before they felt they were able.
12. “patient”: Wait for the Lord in all things. Don’t get in a hurry. If you don’t have peace with a decision, then don’t make it. If you don’t know what to do, wait. If the work isn’t progressing – wait. If a problem arises deal patiently – many problems go away.
Showing patience with all people including the membership!
this means the nasties
this means the meanys
this means the gimmies
this means the sickies
this means the problemies
this means the normalies
Again this is going to take the quiet time and adjustments of the spiritual life that we mentioned earlier.
13. “not a brawler”: Not quarrelsome in nature – not looking for arguments. You’ll find enough without looking. This probably extends to the thought that he is willing to give up his rights in a problem. Not to say you allow wrong, but if 99% want you to wear a suit on Wed. night – why not – why make problems.
This is not easy for us in our self-centered, my rights society, but the Lord asks this of His church leaders and we should ask the same of our church leaders.
14. “not covetous”: (This one is not in the NASB.) Don’t desire anything including:
money
things
other churches
other pastors attendance numbers
buildings
education
etc.
Being content with what God has given you and not your neighbor. Someone said, “It would be easier to do with less if we didn’t see others with more.” God is quite capable of giving you what He wants you to have.
3:3 Not {c} given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
(c) A common drinker and one that will often partake of it.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes