(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.fn"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. Verbs with an asterisk (*) are in the Greek perfect tense.)
Qualifications for Overseers
- This saying is trustworthy: if any man aspires to an overseer’s office,fn“an overseer’s office” is one word in Greek which comes from a Greek word meaning “to stare intently”. While our English word “overseer” focuses on authority, the Greek word focuses on “keeping an eye on” those allotted to your charge in the sense of caring for them. he longs for a good work.
- Therefore, it’s required for an overseer to be above reproach, a husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skilled at teaching,
- not given to wine, not pugnacious, but gentle in justicefn“gentle in justice” is one word in Greek. It refers to a sense of justice that isn’t strict in the sense of the letter of the law, but it conforms to the spirit of the law instead. Thus, it’s “gentle” in its application., peaceable, without the love of money,
- managing his own house well, having his children in submission with all dignity,
- (but if a man doesn’t *know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of a church assembly of God?)
- and not a new convert, so he doesn’t become puffed up and fall into judgement like the Accuser.
- And it’s also required for him to have a good reputation from men outside the church assembly, so he might not fall to slander and a snare of the Accuser.
Qualifications for Deacons
- Likewise, deacons must be dignified, not double-tongued, not turning to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain,
- but holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
- And let these men also be tested first, then let them serve after being found above reproach.
- (Likewise, the wivesfn“wives” could also be translated “women”, as they are the same Greek word. There are two basic views on what this refers to: (1) It refers to the wives of deacons. (2) It refers to female deacons. This view often mentions Phoebe in Romans 16:1, however, her status as a deacon is highly disputed; see footnote on that verse. Importantly, Acts 6:3 states the requirements for deacons, and “men” (literally “males” there) is the first requirement. must be dignified, temperate, not slanderous, and faithful in all things.)
- Deacons must be a husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
- For the men who served well acquire good standing for themselves and much confidence in the faith, the faith in Jesus the Anointed.
Why Paul wrote
- I write these things to you, hoping to come to you in haste.
- But I wrote so if I delay, you might *know how it’s required to conduct yourself in the household of God, which is the church assembly of the living God, a pillar and support of the truth.
- And as all agree: great is the mystery of godliness; He who was revealed in the flesh, was declared righteous in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken up in glory.
Next: 1 Timothy chapter 4
Previous: 1 Timothy chapter 2
Up: BOS Bible Index
Note: If you think a word, phrase, or passage could be better translated - or is wrong - then Please Say Something. This is an open source Bible that's accountable to all Christians. See this link for details.
Legal Use: Please feel free to quote the BOS Bible, but follow the guidelines on the Legal Use page when doing so. They are easy and mostly common sense.