A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Timothy 3
A.T. Robertson Commentary
1 Timothy 3
A.T. Robertson Commentary
1 Timothy 3
"Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." — 1 Timothy 3:1 (ASV)
Faithful is the saying (πιστος ο λογος). Here the phrase points to the preceding words and should close the preceding paragraph.
If a man seeketh (ε τις ορεγετα). Condition of first class, assumed as true. Present middle indicative of ορεγω, old verb to reach out after something, governing the genitive. In N.T. only here, 6:10; Hebrews 11:16.
The office of a bishop (επισκοπης). Genitive case after ορεγετα. Late and rare word outside of LXX and N.T. (in a Lycaonian inscription). From επισκοπεω and means "overseership" as in Ac 1:20.
"The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" — 1 Timothy 3:2 (ASV)
The bishop (τον επισκοπον). The overseer. Old word, in LXX, and inscriptions and papyri. Deissmann (Bible Studies, pp. 230f.) has shown it is applied to communal officials in Rhodes. See Ac 20:28 for its use for the elders (presbyters) in verse 17. So also in Tit 1:5,7. See Php 1:1. The word does not in the N.T. have the monarchical sense found in Ignatius of a bishop over elders.
Without reproach (ανεπιλημπτον). Accusative case of general reference with δε and εινα. Old and common verbal (α privative and επιλαμβανω, not to be taken hold of), irreproachable. In N.T. only here, 5:7; 6:14.
Of one wife (μιας γυναικος). One at a time, clearly.
Temperate (νηφαλιον). Old adjective. In N.T. only here, verse 11; Titus 2:2. But see νηφω, to be sober in 1 Thessalonians 5:6,8.
Soberminded (σωφρονα). Another old adjective (from σαος or σως, sound, φρην, mind) in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; 2:2,5.
Orderly (κοσμιον). See on 2:9. Seemly, decent conduct.
Given to hospitality (φιλοξενον). Old word (see φιλοξενια in Ro 12:13), from φιλος and ξενος, in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9.
Apt to teach (διδακτικον). Late form for old διδασκαλικος, one qualified to teach. In Philo and N.T. only (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24).
"no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;" — 1 Timothy 3:3 (ASV)
No brawler (μη παροινον). Later word for the earlier παροινιος, one who sits long at (beside, παρα) his wine. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:3.
No striker (μη πληκτην). Late word from πλησσω, to strike. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:3.
Gentle (επιεικη). See on Php 4:5 for this interesting word.
Not contentious (αμαχον). Old word (from α privative and μαχη), not a fighter. In N.T. only here and Tit 3:2.
No lover of money (αφιλαργυρον). Late word (α privative and compound φιλ-αργυρος) in inscriptions and papyri (Nageli; also Deissmann, Light, etc., pp. 85f.). In N.T. only here and Heb 13:5.
"one that ruleth well his own house, having [his] children in subjection with all gravity;" — 1 Timothy 3:4 (ASV)
Ruling (προισταμενον). Present middle participle of προιστημ, old word to place before and (intransitive as here) to stand before. See 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Romans 12:8.
In subjection (εν υποταγη). See verse 11.
"(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" — 1 Timothy 3:5 (ASV)
If a man knoweth not (ε τις ουκ οιδεν). Condition of first class, assumed as true.
How to rule (προστηνα). Second aorist active infinitive of same verb προιστημ and with οιδεν means "know how to rule," not "know that he rules."
How (πως). Rhetorical question expecting negative answer.
Shall he take care of (επιμελησετα). Future middle of επιμελεομα, old compound (επ, direction of care towards) verb, in LXX, in N.T. only here and Lu 10:34f.
The church of God (εκκλησιας θεου). Anarthrous as in verse 15, elsewhere with article (1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13). The local church described as belonging to God. No one in N.T. but Paul (Acts 20:28) so describes the church. This verse is a parenthesis in the characteristics of the bishop.
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