1 Timothy 3

Published September 23, 2026
1 Timothy 3

September 24  

Reading: 1 Timothy 3 

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.    

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.    

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:    
     He was manifested in the flesh,    
     vindicated by the Spirit,    
     seen by angels,    
     proclaimed among the nations,    
     believed on in the world,    
     taken up in glory. 

1 Timothy 3:1-7 contains instructions for the church regarding overseers, elders, presbyters, or bishops. The Greek word, episcopes (also Titus 1:7), has been translated into English using each of these words. The word is synonymous in the letters of the New Testament with the Greek word presbuteros, which is translated “elder.” (see Acts 15:4, 16:4, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, James 5:14, and 1 Peter 5:1) It is possible that presbuteros has a more local connotation than episcopes. 

Paul lists in these seven verses the qualifications required for overseers (or elders). This obviously includes pastors. These are men who will lead the church, carry out discipline in the body, and oversee the teaching of the truth. Notice that most of these 15 qualifications are what is expected of every mature Christian:  
  1. Above reproach  
  2. A one-woman man (If married, has one wife)  
  3. Temperate (sober-minded)  
  4. Prudent (wise, vigilant, self-controlled)  
  5. Respectable  
  6. Hospitable  
  7. Able to teach  
  8. Not addicted to wine (not a drunkard)  
  9. Not violent (doesn’t like to fight)  
  10. Gentle (think about how important this is for a leader)  
  11. Not quarrelsome (not argumentative)  
  12. Not greedy (not covetous, not a lover of money)  
  13. Must manage his own household well (with dignity keeping his children under control)  
  14. Not a new convert  
  15. Having a good reputation in the community  

Why is this list important? In these final two qualifications, we are reminded that the “snare of the devil” awaits the unwary Christian. We have indeed seen some fall, it wrecks churches. 

The first word of 1 Timothy 3:8 is translated “deacons” or “servants.” The word deacon means servant. It is used for the woman Phoebe in Romans 16:1. The first deacons were chosen in Acts 6:1-7 to serve tables in the Jerusalem church. Verses 8-13 give us the qualifications required of deacons (and deaconesses) to serve in the church. 

Verses 14-15 reveal the purpose of this letter to Timothy. Paul is instructing him on “how to behave in the household of God.” This is a letter on church polity, especially as it concerns leadership and teaching. Verse 16 contains what is one of the earliest confessions or creeds of the Christian church, predating the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed by more than 200 years.