Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
3 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desire a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 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 [Or him with proper] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as to the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons [The word deacons refer here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women [Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons ] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,[ Or vindicated in spirit]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
NOTES:
The notes include these quotations from the New American Bible (Revised Edition) NAB with our own commentaries in [open close parenthesis]
3:1–7 The passage begins by commending those who aspire to
the office of bishop (episkopos; see note on Phil 1:1) within the community,
but this first sentence (1 Tm 3:1) may also imply a warning about the great
responsibilities involved. The writer proceeds to list the qualifications
required: personal stability and graciousness; talent for teaching (1 Tm 3:2);
moderation in habits and temperament (1 Tm 3:3); managerial ability (1 Tm 3:4);
and experience in Christian living (1 Tm 3:5–6). Moreover, the candidate’s
previous life should provide no grounds for the charge that he did not
previously practice what he now preaches. No list of qualifications for
presbyters appears in 1 Timothy. The presbyter-bishops here and in Titus (see
note on Ti 1:5–9) lack certain functions reserved here for Paul and Timothy.
3:1 This saying is trustworthy: the saying introduced is so
unlike others after this phrase that some later Western manuscripts read, “This
saying is popular.” It is understood by some interpreters as concluding the
preceding section (1 Tm 2:8–15). Bishop: literally, “overseer”; see note on
Phil 1:1.
3:6 The devil’s punishment: this phrase could mean the
punishment once incurred by the devil (objective genitive) or a punishment
brought about by the devil (subjective genitive).
3:8–13 Deacons, besides possessing the virtue of moderation
(1 Tm 3:8), are to be outstanding for their faith (1 Tm 3:9) and well respected
within the community (1 Tm 3:10). Women in the same role, although some
interpreters take them to mean wives of deacons, must be dignified, temperate,
dedicated, and not given to malicious talebearing (1 Tm 3:11). Deacons must
have shown stability in marriage and have a good record with their families (1
Tm 3:12), for such experience prepares them well for the exercise of their
ministry on behalf of the community (1 Tm 3:13). See further the note on Phil
1:1.
3:11 Women: this seems to refer to women deacons but may
possibly mean wives of deacons. The former is preferred because the word is
used absolutely; if deacons’ wives were meant, a possessive “their” would be
expected. Moreover, they are also introduced by the word “similarly,” as in 1
Tm 3:8; this parallel suggests that they too exercised ecclesiastical
functions.
3:14–16 In case there is some delay in the visit to Timothy
at Ephesus planned for the near future, the present letter is being sent on
ahead to arm and enlighten him in his task of preserving sound Christian
conduct in the Ephesian church. The care he must exercise over this community
is required by the profound nature of Christianity. It centers in Christ,
appearing in human flesh, vindicated by the holy Spirit; the mystery of his
person was revealed to the angels, announced to the Gentiles, and accepted by
them in faith. He himself was taken up (through his resurrection and ascension)
to the divine glory (1 Tm 3:16). This passage apparently includes part of a
liturgical hymn used among the Christian communities in and around Ephesus. It
consists of three couplets in typical Hebrew balance: flesh-spirit (contrast),
seen-proclaimed (complementary), world-glory (contrast).
3:16 Who: the reference is to Christ, who is himself “the mystery of our devotion.” Some predominantly Western manuscripts read “which,” harmonizing the gender of the pronoun with that of the Greek word for mystery; many later (eighth/ninth century on), predominantly Byzantine manuscripts read “God,” possibly for theological reasons.
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