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1 Timothy 3

1 Tim. 3:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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This
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
is a true
pistos (Greek #4103)
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
KJV usage: believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true.
Pronounce: pis-tos'
Origin: from 3982
saying
logos (Greek #3056)
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)
KJV usage: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
Pronounce: log'-os
Origin: from 3004
, If
ei (Greek #1487)
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV usage: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.
Pronounce: i
Origin: a primary particle of conditionality
a man
tis (Greek #5100)
some or any person or object
KJV usage: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
Pronounce: tis
Origin: an enclitic indefinite pronoun
desire
oregomai (Greek #3713)
to stretch oneself, i.e. reach out after (long for)
KJV usage: covet after, desire.
Pronounce: or-eg'-om-ahee
Origin: middle voice of apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary (compare 3735)
the office of a bishop
episkope (Greek #1984)
inspection (for relief); by implication, superintendence; specially, the Christian "episcopate"
KJV usage: the office of a "bishop", bishoprick, visitation.
Pronounce: ep-is-kop-ay'
Origin: from 1980
l, he desireth
epithumeo (Greek #1937)
to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)
KJV usage: covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).
Pronounce: ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o
Origin: from 1909 and 2372
a good
kalos (Greek #2570)
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from 18, which is properly intrinsic)
KJV usage: X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.
Pronounce: kal-os'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
work
ergon (Greek #2041)
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
KJV usage: deed, doing, labour, work.
Pronounce: er'-gon
Origin: from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω (to work)
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l
Phil. 1:1• 1Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Phil. 1:1)

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Bishop

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-13:  How bishops and deacons, and their wives should be qualified;
14:  and to what end Saint Paul wrote to Timothy of these things.
15-16:  Of the church, and the blessed truth therein taught and professed.
is a.
1 Tim. 1:15• 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Tim. 1:15)
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1 Tim. 4:9• 9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. (1 Tim. 4:9)
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2 Tim. 2:11• 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: (2 Tim. 2:11)
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Titus 3:8• 8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)
the office.
1 Tim. 3:2‑7• 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
 4One 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?)
 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Tim. 3:2‑7)
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Acts 1:20• 20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. (Acts 1:20)
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Phil. 1:1• 1Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Phil. 1:1)
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Titus 1:7• 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (Titus 1:7)
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1 Peter 2:25• 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
bishop.
Acts 20:28• 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
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Heb. 12:15• 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Heb. 12:15)
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1 Peter 4:15• 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. (1 Peter 4:15)
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1 Peter 5:2• 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:2)
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1 Peter 5•  (1 Peter 5)
:*Gr:
desireth.
Prov. 11:30• 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Prov. 11:30)
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Luke 15:10• 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)
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Rom. 11:13• 13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: (Rom. 11:13)
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Eph. 4:12• 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph. 4:12)
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1 Thess. 5:14• 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thess. 5:14)
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James 5:19‑20• 19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19‑20)
• It is a question of government here, rather than of gifts (“On 1 Timothy 3:1-7” by W. Kelly)
• It was a good work. To care for souls and have a vigilant eye upon the walk of believers; to watch over them in order that the members of Christ should answer to His love and lose no Christian privilege. (“1 Timothy 3” by J.N. Darby)
• They are to "watch" over the flock that it may be preserved from the attacks of the enemy without, as well as from the corruptions that may arise within the Christian circle through perverse men who divert souls from the Lord to themselves (Acts 20:28-31). (“The Order of God's House: 1 Timothy 2-3” by H. Smith)
• There is also the care of those who compose the House of God, that their behavior may be suited to the House, and this care for souls is also "a good work." (“The Order of God's House: 1 Timothy 2-3” by H. Smith)
• The flesh likes office, and position, and authority, but it will shrink from "work". When this is seen we may have to admit that there are few that have the desire that the Apostle contemplates. (“The Order of God's House: 1 Timothy 2-3” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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The word is faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work.

W. Kelly Translation

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Faithful [is] the word: if anyone is eager for oversighta, he is desirous of a good work.

WK Translation Notes

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a
"Bishopric," or "office of a bishop," misleads here; because the modern office, with which most are familiar, so greatly differs from the primitive reality. Hence it appears best and wisest, as well as most consistent, to call the function "oversight" and the functionary "overseer," in accordance with the KJV of {vi 27655}{/vi}, where the elders of the Ephesian assembly (vs. 17), who met the apostle at Miletus, are so designated.