Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Timothy 3
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Timothy 3
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Timothy 3
"Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; one that ruleth well his own house, having [his] children in subjection with all gravity; (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." — 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ASV)
If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as possible, lest he bring reproach upon his office.
He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together in Scripture; they assist each other. The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils.
He must be of good repute among his neighbours and under no reproach from his former life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). And he will equip his ministers for their work, carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.
"Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." — 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (ASV)
The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust placed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fitting that public responsibilities should be entrusted to anyone until they are found fit for the work with which they are to be entrusted. All who are associated with ministers must take great care to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
"These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory." — 1 Timothy 3:14-16 (ASV)
The church is the house of God; He dwells there. The church upholds the Scripture and the doctrine of Christ, as a pillar displays a proclamation. When a church ceases to be the pillar and ground of truth, we may and should forsake her, for our regard for truth should be first and greatest. The mystery of godliness is Christ. He is God, who was made flesh, and was manifest in the flesh.
God was pleased to reveal Himself to mankind through His own Son taking on human nature. Though condemned as a sinner and executed as a criminal, Christ was raised again by the Spirit and so was vindicated from all the false charges brought against Him. Angels ministered to Him, for He is the Lord of angels.
The Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the Jews rejected. Let us remember that God was manifest in the flesh, to take away our sins, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These doctrines must be demonstrated by the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.
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