1 Timothy 3:1-16 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Turning to the government of the Church, the apostle deals with two orders, bishops and deacons. The bishop is an overseer, whose duty it is to watch over the flock. The apostle describes the qualifications necessary to fulfil the office:

(1) character (verses 1Ti 3:2-3),

(2) temperament (verses 1Ti 3:4-5),

(3) experience (verse 1Ti 3:6), and

(4) reputation (verse 1Ti 3:7).

The description of the deacon has unquestioned reference to the order instituted in the early days, as recorded by Luke John 6:1-15). According to this, they were to be "men of good report, full of the spirit of wisdom." There is not the slightest warrant for looking on the o5ce in any sense as inferior. Its function was different, but not less important. The business of the Church ever needs to be carried on by men of highest character and deepest spirituality. All this will be seen as the instructions of the apostle are pondered.

The purpose of all the apostle had written was that men might know how to behave themselves in the Church. A remarkable and singularly beautiful description of the Church follows. It is the house of God, and therefore it is the pillar and ground of truth. The essential glory of the Church is "the truth." Having shown this, the apostle describes the truth in words which constitute a verse of perfect poetry. There have been varied renderings of this passage. That of Humphreys in the Cambridge Bible is very illuminative.

Who is flesh was manifested, Pure in Spirit was attested; By angels' vision witnessed, Among the nations heralded; By faith accepted here, Received in glory there!

Related Commentaries of 1 Timothy 3:1

1 Timothy 3:1-16

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice,a lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and groundb of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.