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1 Timothy 3:1-16 Style and content issues
1. 1 Timothy 3:1-16 Style and content issues
2. 1 Timothy
3. 1 Timothy 3:1-16 Style and content issues
4. 1 Timothy 3:1
1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. [kjv]
πιστος ο λογος ει τις επισκοπης ορεγεται καλου εργου επιθυμει [gnt]
Is being a "
bishop" a "
good" "
work"?
Is Paul glorifying the office of the "
bishop"? Why then, did Paul never desire to be a "
bishop"?
Why is the phrase "
true" "
saying" used? Why not just say the "
saying"?
The Greek word translated as "
saying" is that of "
reasoning". Later, that Greek word took on more of the meaning of "
word".
5. 1 Timothy 3:1
KJV: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Greek: πιστος ο λογος ει τις επισκοπης ορεγεται καλου εργου επιθυμει
6. 1 Timothy 3:2
1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; [kjv]
δει ουν τον επισκοπον ανεπιλημπτον ειναι μιας γυναικος ανδρα νηφαλιον σωφρονα κοσμιον φιλοξενον διδακτικον [gnt]
Paul then starts a laundry list of the qualifications for a "
bishop".
All of these qualifications are such that they can be observed by behavior.
How easy would it be for someone nefarious to emulate the desired behaviors?
Why not let the people, for better or worse, decide about the qualifications for a "
bishop"?
7. 1 Timothy 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;
Greek: δει ουν τον επισκοπον ανεπιληπτον ανεπιλημπτον ειναι μιας γυναικος ανδρα νηφαλεον νηφαλιον σωφρονα κοσμιον φιλοξενον διδακτικον
8. 1 Timothy 3:3
1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; [kjv]
μη παροινον μη πληκτην αλλα επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον [gnt]
A problem with giving prescriptive and specific rules is that there are always exceptions to the rules.
9. 1 Timothy 3:3
KJV: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Greek: μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη αλλ αλλα επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον
10. 1 Timothy 3:4
1 Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; [kjv]
του ιδιου οικου καλως προισταμενον τεκνα εχοντα εν υποταγη μετα πασης σεμνοτητος [gnt]
Is this a physical "
house"? Did Paul have a physical "
house" that he "
ruled"? Did Jesus have a physical "
house" that he "
ruled"?
Did Jesus put his "
children" as "
believers" under "
subjection" with all "
gravity"?
11. 1 Timothy 3:4
KJV: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
Greek: του ιδιου οικου καλως προισταμενον τεκνα εχοντα εν υποταγη μετα πασης σεμνοτητος
12. 1 Timothy 3:5
1 Timothy 3:5 ( For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) [kjv]
ει δε τις του ιδιου οικου προστηναι ουκ οιδεν πως εκκλησιας θεου επιμελησεται [gnt]
Does this mean that a man who does not have a "
house" cannot take care of the church of God? What is the difference in the following?
Church of God
Church of Jesus
13. 1 Timothy 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?)
Greek: ει δε τις του ιδιου οικου προστηναι ουκ οιδεν πως εκκλησιας θεου επιμελησεται
14. Neophyte
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. [kjv]
μη νεοφυτον ινα μη τυφωθεις εις κριμα εμπεση του διαβολου [gnt]
A
"neophyte" is someone who is new to something. Internet jargon sometimes uses the term "
newbie" which is abbreviated as "
newb", "
noob", etc. The similar looking term (using the zero "
0" for "
o") "
n00b" usually means "
a stupid person".
Today, the word
"neophyte" often has a pejorative or negative implication.
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic church used the term
"neophyte" to refer to a new convert to Christianity. This term came from Paul's letter to Timothy in the
GNT (Greek New Testament).
The Greek word «
νεόφυτος» literally means
"newly planted".
The Latin "neophytum" ≈ "novice, newly planted".
15. 1 Timothy 3:6
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. [kjv]
μη νεοφυτον ινα μη τυφωθεις εις κριμα εμπεση του διαβολου [gnt]
Paul had said not to "
despise" one because of "
youth". Here he says you need to not be a "
novice" or' literally, "
young leaf".
Paul is saying that the devil has the authority to assign "
punishment". Does the devil have the authority to assign "
punishment"?
16. 1 Timothy 3:6
KJV: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Greek: μη νεοφυτον ινα μη τυφωθεις εις κριμα εμπεση του διαβολου
17. 1 Timothy 3:7
1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. [kjv]
δει δε και μαρτυριαν καλην εχειν απο των εξωθεν ινα μη εις ονειδισμον εμπεση και παγιδα του διαβολου [gnt]
Those that are "
without" include those who are of the "
world". If the "
world" hates believers because they hate Christ, how would one got a "
good" "
report" with the "
world"?
To whose "
reproach" is Paul referring? To the devil's "
reproach"?
18. 1 Timothy 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.
Greek: δει δε αυτον και μαρτυριαν καλην εχειν απο των εξωθεν ινα μη εις ονειδισμον εμπεση και παγιδα του διαβολου
19. 1 Timothy 3:8
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; [kjv]
διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις [gnt]
Not Paul establishes specific rules and requirements for "
deacons". Is this something that should come from the top or something which should come from the bottom?
The Greek for "
grave" is that of "
seriousness". Does this preclude a "
deacon" from telling jokes or using humor?
Wine was often drunk at meals. How much wine is too much?
The Greek for "
greedy" of "
lucre" is that of being "
greedy" for "
gain".
20. 1 Timothy 3:8
KJV: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Greek: διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις
21. Double-tongued
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; [kjv]
διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις [gnt]
diaconos … bilingues … [v]
Paul sets many requirements for the deacon. The deacon should not be "
double-tongued". In the Greek, this is to speak with "
double words". The deacon should not speak with a "
forked tongue".
In Native American tribes, to "
speak in a forked tongue" was to "
lie". This phrase was adopted during the time of the American Revolution. To tell the truth was to talk with a "
straight tongue".
22. 1 Timothy 3:8
KJV: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Greek: διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις
Latin: diaconos similiter pudicos non bilingues non multo vino deditos non turpe lucrum sectantes
Wycliffe: Also it bihoueth dekenes to be chast, not double tungid, not youun myche to wyn, not suynge foul wynnyng;
Gothic: jah swa diakaununs gariudans, nih faihufrikans, ni weina filu haftjandans, nih aglaitgastaldans,
Luther: Desselbigengleichen die Diener sollen ehrbar sein, nicht zweizüngig, nicht Weinsäufer, nicht unehrliche Hantierung treiben
Spanish: Los diáconos asimismo deben ser honestos, sin doblez, no dados a mucho vino, no amadores de ganancias deshonestas;
23. 1 Timothy 3:9
1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [kjv]
εχοντας το μυστηριον της πιστεως εν καθαρα συνειδησει [gnt]
The Greek for "
mystery" is that of an "
initiation" into a group whose rules are secret.
24. 1 Timothy 3:9
KJV: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Greek: εχοντας το μυστηριον της πιστεως εν καθαρα συνειδησει
Latin: habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura
Wycliffe: that han the mysterie of feith in clene conscience.
Luther: die das Geheimnis des Glaubens in reinem Gewissen haben.
Spanish: que tengan el misterio de la fe con limpia conciencia.
25. 1 Timothy 3:10
1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. [kjv]
και ουτοι δε δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον ειτα διακονειτωσαν ανεγκλητοι οντες [gnt]
What is the "
litmus test" for a "
bishop"?
Paul here is advocating for a church hierarchy. The
base case in the induction is the first "
bishop". Then have "
deacons" between the "
bishop" and the "
people". The step case is to create a "
bishop" for the "
bishops". And so on. Given no secular constraints, the collection of "
seeds" can grow into quite a big "
tree".
26. 1 Timothy 3:10
KJV: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Greek: και ουτοι δε δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον ειτα διακονειτωσαν ανεγκλητοι οντες
27. 1 Timothy 3:11
1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. [kjv]
γυναικας ωσαυτως σεμνας μη διαβολους νηφαλιους πιστας εν πασιν [gnt]
The Greek for "
slanderers" is the same word used for "
devil" who is the "
accuser".
Since it is not mentioned, can a "
bishop" be a "
slanderer" or "
accuser" or (agent of the) "
devil"?
28. 1 Timothy 3:11
KJV: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Greek: γυναικας ωσαυτως σεμνας μη διαβολους νηφαλεους νηφαλιους πιστας εν πασιν
29. 1 Timothy 3:12
1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [kjv]
διακονοι εστωσαν μιας γυναικος ανδρες τεκνων καλως προισταμενοι και των ιδιων οικων [gnt]
Can the "
wife" have more than one "
husband"?
30. 1 Timothy 3:12
KJV: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Greek: διακονοι εστωσαν μιας γυναικος ανδρες τεκνων καλως προισταμενοι και των ιδιων οικων
31. 1 Timothy 3:13
1 Timothy 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
οι γαρ καλως διακονησαντες βαθμον εαυτοις καλον περιποιουνται και πολλην παρρησιαν εν πιστει τη εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]
The Greek translated as "
boldness" is that of "
presence".
32. 1 Timothy 3:13
KJV: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Greek: οι γαρ καλως διακονησαντες βαθμον εαυτοις καλον περιποιουνται και πολλην παρρησιαν εν πιστει τη εν χριστω ιησου
33. 1 Timothy 3:14
1 Timothy 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: [kjv]
ταυτα σοι γραφω ελπιζων ελθειν προς σε εν ταχει [gnt]
The Greek translated as "
shortly" is that of "
quickly". If the context supports it, the word can mean "
shortly" or "
soon".
Why might Paul have used such a nebulous wording?
34. 1 Timothy 3:14
KJV: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
Greek: ταυτα σοι γραφω ελπιζων ελθειν προς σε ταχιον εν ταχει
35. 1 Timothy 3:15
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [kjv]
εαν δε βραδυνω ινα ειδης πως δει εν οικω θεου αναστρεφεσθαι ητις εστιν εκκλησια θεου ζωντος στυλος και εδραιωμα της αληθειας [gnt]
36. 1 Timothy 3:15
KJV: But if I tarry long , that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Greek: εαν δε βραδυνω ινα ειδης πως δει εν οικω θεου αναστρεφεσθαι ητις εστιν εκκλησια θεου ζωντος στυλος και εδραιωμα της αληθειας
37. 1 Timothy 3:16
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. [kjv]
38. 1 Timothy 3:16
KJV: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Greek: και ομολογουμενως μεγα εστιν το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον θεος ος εφανερωθη εν σαρκι εδικαιωθη εν πνευματι ωφθη αγγελοις εκηρυχθη εν εθνεσιν επιστευθη εν κοσμω ανεληφθη ανελημφθη εν δοξη
39. End of page
