The Bible — World English Bible

1 Timothy 3

In brief

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul explains to Timothy, who is serving the church in Ephesus, what character those who lead it must have. He first describes the overseer (or elder), then the deacons and their wives, or women deacons depending on the translation. Almost everything concerns character: a blameless life, a well-managed household, a good reputation. The chapter ends by reminding us that the Church is the household of God, the pillar and foundation of the truth, and by summing up the mystery of godliness around Christ.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-7The qualities of the overseer or elder
  2. v. 8-13The qualities of deacons
  3. v. 14-16The Church, God's household, and the mystery of godliness

1This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work.

2The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

3not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

4one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;

5(but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?)

6not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

7Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,

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

10Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless.

11Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things.

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

13For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly;

15but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

Key verses

Verse 1
This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work.

Desiring to serve as a leader is not frowned upon: Paul calls it a noble task. The following verses only remind us that this desire must be matched by a character that supports it.

Verse 2
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

The list begins with being above reproach. Of the fifteen or so qualities named, almost all concern character; only the ability to teach is a skill.

Verse 4-5
one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; (but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?)

The way someone leads his household is a clue to how he will care for the Church. Churches understand differently what this implies for the family situation of the leader.

Verse 15
but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Paul tells Timothy how to behave in the household of God, the church of the living God. It is described as the pillar and foundation of the truth, which gives the criteria for leadership their full weight.

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What the sermons say

Authentic Leaders: What God Expects of EldersThis sermon on Titus 1 quotes 1 Timothy 3:5: an elder's character is judged first at home, away from the spotlight. A leader who cannot lead his family cannot care for the Church.Read the summary →What Makes a Good Christian Leader?Drawing on 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, Paulin Bédard notes that the Bible says far more about who a leader is than about what he does: only one quality is a skill, teaching.Read the summary →The Price of a Pure GospelFrantz Galland, on Titus 1, clarifies verses 4 and 5: faithful children are those still at home, which limits an elder's responsibility to his minor children.Read the summary →What Is a Local Church? Definition and RoleThis article describes the deacons, mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, as those who handle the practical services so that the church runs and no one is forgotten.Read the summary →How to Train Future LeadersAlmost all the qualities in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 concern character. The article draws a principle from this for spotting the next generation: faithfulness comes before talent.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 1 Timothy 3

What are the qualities of an elder according to 1 Timothy 3?

Paul asks that he be above reproach, sober, self-controlled, orderly in his conduct, hospitable and able to teach. He must not be given to wine, violent or greedy for money. He manages his household well, is not a new convert and has a good reputation with outsiders. The emphasis is on character.

What is the difference between an elder and a deacon?

Elders (or overseers) watch over the Church, teach and lead it. Deacons provide practical service so that the needs of the community are met. Paul asks both for a proven character, but only the elder must be able to teach.

What does husband of one wife mean?

Believers do not all agree. Some see a requirement of marital faithfulness, others the exclusion of remarried divorcees or of polygamy. All recognize the central idea: the leader must be a man of exemplary faithfulness in his marriage.

Articles quoting 1 Timothy 3

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World English Bible translation — public domain.