A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Timothy 3:7

"Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." — 1 Timothy 3:7 (ASV)

From them that are without (απο των εξωθεν). "From the outside (of the church) ones." Paul's care for the witness of outsiders is seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Colossians 4:5. There are, of course, two sides to this matter.

Reproach (ονειδισμον). Late word from ονειδιζω. See Ro 15:3.

The snare of the devil (παγιδα του διαβολου). Here subjective genitive, snare set by the devil. Παγις, old word from πηγνυμ, to make fast. So a snare for birds (Luke 21:35), any sudden trap (Romans 11:9), of sin (1 Timothy 6:9), of the devil (1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26). Ancients used it of the snares of love. The devil sets special snares for preachers (conceit verse 6, money 6:9, women, ambition).