1 Timothy 3:6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Not a novice, &c.— Μη νεοφυτον; "Not one lately engrafted into the Christian church;" He had said before, 1 Timothy 3:2. That a bishop ought to be one who is apt to teach; and consequently he must have taught for some time as an elder, or filled some office in the church, whereby his aptness to teach might appear. On the phrase "the condemnation of the devil," we would observe that Satan might graft many dangerous temptations not only on the man's pride, but on the evil report which he might have incurred by any scandal before he entered on the ministry; either attempting to draw him to the commission of former evils, from an apprehension that he had very little reputation to lose by a new fall; or weakening his hands in efforts of usefulness, by a fear, that the remembrance of those past irregularities would render his attempts less effectual:—thoughts worthy the consideration of all who design themselves for the ministry; and especially to be recollected, when persons who have been remarkably profligate, are desirous of undertaking it, or returning to it.

1 Timothy 3:6

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