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Verse Takeaways
1
The Family as a Proving Ground
All commentators agree that this verse presents an argument from the lesser to the greater. They explain that the family serves as a proving ground for church leadership. If a person cannot successfully manage the smaller, more intimate sphere of their own household, they are considered unqualified to handle the larger, more complex responsibilities of leading the church of God.
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Book Overview
1 Timothy
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Timothy 3:5
18th Century
Theologian
For if a man know not how to rule. This is a beautiful and striking argument. A church resembles a family. It is, indeed, larger, and ther…
AT Robertson
On 1 Timothy 3:5
If a man knoweth not (ε τις ουκ οιδεν). Condition of first class, assumed as true.
How to rule (προστηνα).…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Timothy 3:5
19th Century
Bishop
For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?—The well-ordered household, the decent, mode…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Timothy 3:5
The final three stated qualifications are developed in greater length. The first concerns the relationship of an overseer to his family—he must be …
John Calvin
On 1 Timothy 3:5
16th Century
Theologian
And if anyone does not know how to rule his own house. This argument, drawn from the lesser to the greater, is self-evident: he who is unf…
John Gill
On 1 Timothy 3:5
17th Century
Pastor
For if a man know not how to rule his own house
Which is an affair of less importance, and more easy to be done; not…
Matthew Henry
On 1 Timothy 3:1–7
17th Century
Minister
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 him…