Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Timothy 3:6

"not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil." — 1 Timothy 3:6 (ASV)

Not a novice.—In the Church of Ephesus, which, when Paul wrote these charges to Timothy, had been established some years, the chief pastor would have for the church office an ample choice of disciples of some considerable standing and experience. The word “novice” here refers rather to a lack of experience and standing in the Christian brotherhood than to “youth.” Timothy himself, to whom St. Paul was writing, and whom the Apostle had placed over this church, was at the time, comparatively speaking, still a man young in years, although old in trials and in Christian experiences.

Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.—The Greek word rendered here “being lifted up,” would be better translated as being clouded or deluded. It marks the pride or vanity engendered by finding himself in a position of authority for which no previous training and experience had fitted him. Such a “novice” would be in imminent danger of falling into the judgment passed by God upon the devil, whose fall was due to the same blinding effect of pride.