1 Timothy 3:12 Komentář

In this chapter our apostle treats of church-officers. He specifies, I. The qualifications of a person to be admitted to the office of a bishop (Ti1 3:1-7). II. The qualifications of deacons (Ti1 3:8-10), and of their wives (Ti1 3:11), again of the deacons (Ti1 3:12, Ti1 3:13). III. The reasons of his writing to Timothy, whereupon he speaks of the church and the foundation-truth professed therein (Ti1 3:14 to the end).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 3 In this chapter the apostle treats of the qualifications of officers of churches, bishops and deacons, and of their wives; and points at the principal reason of writing this epistle to Timothy: and first, he commends the office of a bishop, as a good and desirable one; and asserts it to be such in the strongest manner, Ti1 3:1 and then follow the qualifications for it, some of which are of the economical or domestic kind, and regard him as an husband and parent, and the head of the family; others of a moral nature, and relate to sobriety, hospitality, temperance, patience, and liberality; and others of the ecclesiastical sort, as aptness to teach, and that he should not be a novice in religion; and in general, that he should be a man of a blameless life, and of good report in the world, Ti1 3:2, next an account is given of the qualifications of deacons; some which concern their moral character; others their soundness in the faith; and others their domestic affairs, and their conduct in their families; about which they should be first examined, before they were put into their office; the characters of their wives are also given; and for their encouragement in the faithful performance of their office, it is observed, that they hereby obtain a good degree of honour and boldness in the faith of Christ, Ti1 3:8. And the end of the apostle's writing this epistle, and particularly of giving Timothy this account of the qualifications of the officers of the church of God, is, that he might know whom to appoint over it, and how to conduct himself in it; which he commends from its being the house of God, the church of the living God, and the pillar and ground of truth, Ti1 3:14. Of which truth he gives a summary, in several particulars of it, which open the great mystery of godliness, Ti1 3:16.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,.... See Gill on Ti1 3:2. ruling their children and their own houses well. These qualifications are the same with those of the bishop or elder; See Gill on Ti1 3:4.

"Let the Deacons be husbands of one wife." This must be understood therefore to relate to Deaconesses. For that order is necessary and useful and honorable in the Church. Observe how he requires the same virtue from the Deacons, as from the Bishops, for though they were not of equal rank, they must equally be blameless; equally pure. "Ruling their children and their own houses well." Everywhere they are required to rule their children well, that others may not be scandalized by their misconduct.

Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well gain for themselves a good standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. husbands of one wife. You see how the same things are required from deacons as from bishops? These things must also be accepted concerning deaconesses. managing their children and their own households well. He places this everywhere, wishing to bring the reproof upon them from home. For those who serve well. Those who have entrusted themselves to the lesser things will quickly come to progress and boldness in Christ. and great confidence. But who would have confidence in the faith of Christ, except the one who lives with faith and a righteous life?

Do you see that the apostle requires from deacons the very same virtue that he required from bishops? For they too must equally be pure and blameless. He speaks everywhere about the management of children, so that others may not have occasion for scandal.

Above, the Apostle showed what should be the character of deacons and their wives; here he shows how deacons should behave toward their wives and children and family: first, he gives the advice; second, the reason, at for they who have ministered well. He says, therefore: I have said that the wives of deacons should be chaste: and if chastity must be possessed by their wives for the good of the deacons, it is double necessary in the deacons, that they may be entirely free of contact with women. But because there would be so few men who could fulfill this requirement, he says that at least they should be husbands of one wife; because if they have had several, it is a sign of incontinence, and against the signification of the sacrament of matrimony. That is why the Lord instituted matrimony as a state of one to one. That is also why the first wife is blessed, but not the second. Then he admonishes him how he should behave toward his children, when he says, who rule well their children, by instructing them well in good discipline and a good life: have you children? Instruct them and bow down their neck from their childhood (Sir 7:24).

Concerning bishops, their qualifications and work, Ti1 3:1-7. Of deacons, and how they should be proved, Ti1 3:8-10. Of their wives and children, and how they should be governed, Ti1 3:11-13. How Timothy should behave himself in the Church, Ti1 3:14, Ti1 3:15. The great mystery of godliness, Ti1 3:16.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - This is the same that is required of the bishops. See on Ti1 3:2 (note) Ti1 3:4 (note), and Ti1 3:5 (note).

RULES AS TO BISHOPS (OVERSEERS) AND DEACONS. THE CHURCH, AND THE GOSPEL MYSTERY NOW REVEALED TO IT, ARE THE END OF ALL SUCH RULES. (1Ti. 3:1-16) Translate as Greek, "Faithful is the saying." A needful preface to what follows: for the office of a bishop or overseer in Paul's day, attended as it was with hardship and often persecution, would not seem to the world generally a desirable and "good work." desire--literally, "stretch one's self forward to grasp"; "aim at": a distinct Greek verb from that for "desireth." What one does voluntarily is more esteemed than what he does when asked (Co1 16:15). This is utterly distinct from ambitious desires after office in the Church. (Jam 3:1). bishop--overseer: as yet identical with "presbyter" (Act 20:17, Act 20:28; Tit 1:5-7). good work--literally, "honorable work." Not the honor associated with it, but the work, is the prominent thought (Act 15:38; Phi 2:30; compare Ti2 4:5). He who aims at the office must remember the high qualifications needed for the due discharge of its functions.

husbands of one wife--(See on Ti1 3:2). ruling their children--There is no article in the Greek, "ruling children"; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification (Ti1 3:4; Tit 1:6). their own houses--as distinguished from "the Church of God" (see on Ti1 3:5). In the case of the deacons, as in that of the bishops, he mentions the first condition of receiving office, rather than the special qualifications for its discharge. The practical side of Christianity is the one most dwelt on in the Pastoral Epistles, in opposition to the heretical teachers; moreover, as the miraculous gifts began to be withdrawn, the safest criterion of efficiency would be the previous moral character of the candidate, the disposition and talent for the office being presupposed. So in Act 6:3, a similar criterion was applied, "Look ye out among you seven men of honest report." Less stress is laid on personal dignity in the case of the deacon than in that of the bishop (compare Notes, see on Ti1 3:2-3).