1Trustworthy is the saying: if anyone aspires to overseership, he is desirous of a good work. [3:2] It behooves the overseer, therefore, to be above reproach — a husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, [3:3] not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money, [3:4] presiding over his own house well, having children in submission with all solemnity — [3:5] but if one does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the assembly of God? [3:6] Not a novice, lest, having been puffed up, he fall into the judgment of the devil. [3:7] It behooves him now also to have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1TI 3:1-7
Qualifications for Overseers
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, leadership roles were deeply tied to social reputation and household management. The overseer described here would have been understood as a guardian or superintendent, a role akin to a household manager who ensured order and care. The emphasis on being 'above reproach' reflects the honor-shame culture, where public integrity was essential for leadership. The requirement to manage one’s own household well mirrors Roman household codes, where a paterfamilias was expected to maintain discipline and dignity. Hospitality, a key virtue in Mediterranean society, underscores the overseer’s role in fostering community. The prohibition against greed and love of money aligns with critiques of Roman patronage systems, where leaders often exploited their positions for personal gain. The warning against being a 'novice' reflects the danger of inexperience leading to arrogance, a common concern in Stoic and Jewish ethical teachings. The need for a 'good testimony from outsiders' highlights the importance of maintaining a positive reputation in the broader civic context.
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How other translations render this
1TI 3:1
- KJV
- This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
- BSB
- This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
- Koinōnos
- Trustworthy is the saying: if anyone aspires to overseership, he is desirous of a good work.
1TI 3:2
- KJV
- A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
- BSB
- An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- Koinōnos
- It behooves the overseer, therefore, to be above reproach — a husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1TI 3:3
- KJV
- Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
- BSB
- not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
- Koinōnos
- not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money,
1TI 3:4
- KJV
- One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
- BSB
- An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
- Koinōnos
- presiding over his own house well, having children in submission with all solemnity —
1TI 3:5
- KJV
- (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
- BSB
- For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
- Koinōnos
- but if one does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the assembly of God?
1TI 3:6
- KJV
- Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
- BSB
- He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
- Koinōnos
- Not a novice, lest, having been puffed up, he fall into the judgment of the devil.
1TI 3:7
- KJV
- Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- BSB
- Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- Koinōnos
- It behooves him now also to have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1TI 3:1
- overseership:The word translated 'overseership' refers to the act of watching over or visiting, often with the implication of divine care or intervention, and also the specific office of an overseer.
1TI 3:2
- overseer:The term used here for 'overseer' literally means 'one who watches over' or 'guardian,' emphasizing a protective and watchful role, similar to a sentinel guarding a city.
1TI 3:4
- managing,:The word translated 'managing' carries the sense of standing before or presiding over, implying leadership and care, not just administrative control.
- dignity —.:The word translated 'dignity' conveys a sense of solemnity, seriousness, and reverence, often associated with a respected and honorable character.