Bible Commentary

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 9. the mystery of the faith ] Apparently repeated again 1Ti 3:16 as ‘the mystery of godliness.’ The word ‘mystery’ is significant. Coming from the Greek, ‘to close the mouth,’ and so ‘to initiate,’ it was originally used of the secret rites of Eleusis in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:9”

Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 8 13. The duties and characters of Deacons, both Men and Women 8. the deacons ] There is no article; for ‘deacons’ in the accusative we must supply from 1Ti 3:2 the remainder of the construction ‘it … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:8”

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 7. them which are without ] Outside the circle of believers, the Christian Church: the same phrase is used by St Paul, 1Th 4:12, ‘walk honestly toward them that are without’; cf. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:7”

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 6. “Do not set a new convert to rule in high place lest ‘pride come’ again ‘before a fall’ as in Satan’s case: and again, let your ruler be one at whom the world can throw no stone; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:6”

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 5. for if a man know not ] but, the force of the adversative conjunction being, ‘You may think me needlessly particular in requiring this, but a straw will shew how the wind … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:5”

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 4. that ruleth well his own house ] In distinction to ‘God’s household’ the Church, 1Ti 3:5 ; 1Ti 3:15. his children ] Rather, from the emphatic position of ‘children,’ and the absence of the article, the sense is ‘with … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:4”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:3”

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 2. A bishop ] R.V. The bishop, as St Mar 4:3, ‘the sower’: so George Herbert, ‘ The country Parson’: ‘A bishop’ is however quite idiomatic too. blameless ] R.V. without reproach; twice … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:2”

This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1. This is a true saying ] Better, It is a faithful saying; R.V., as in 1Ti 1:15, literally ‘Faithful is the saying’; most probably to be referred, as there and in the other three passages, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 3:1”

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 15. in childbearing ] R.V. gives the exact force of the Greek through the childbearing, and leaves unsettled which particular interpretation is correct (1) the A.V. ‘in childbearing,’ the preposition rendering merely the circumstances, cf. Rom 4:11 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 2:15”