1.
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Verse 1
A bishop; literally, an overseer, an officer holding a general charge and superintendence in respect to the affairs of the church, with powers and duties adapted, in many respects, doubtless, to the peculiar circumstances and habits of the times.
2.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Verse 2
The husband of one wife; chaste.
3.
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Verse 3
Greedy of filthy lucre; eager after gain.
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, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Verse 6
Not a novice; not a very recent convert to Christianity.
7.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Verse 7
Of them which are without; of the people of the world in general.
8.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Verse 8
Not double-tongued; that is, they must be honest and sincere.
9.
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Verse 9
The mystery of the faith; the gospel,--often spoken of as a mystery, on account of its having been long withheld from the knowledge of mankind.
10.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Verse 10
Let these also first be proved; by time. As in the case of bishops, (1 Timothy 3:6,) they should not be novices.
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.
Verse 12
Husbands of one wife; chaste.--Houses; families.
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.
Verse 13
A good degree; a good standing and estimation.
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 ground of the truth.
Verse 15
In the house of God; in the church,--as is immediately indicated.--Ground; foundation.
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.