1Ti 3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Tim 3:1-13: 3:1-13 The topic shifts to church leadership by elders (3:1-7 ) and deacons (3:8-13 ). Timothy’s role in the appointments is less clear than that of Titus (see 5:17-22 ; Titus 1:5 ), possibly because the church in Ephesus was more mature and thus better able to manage the process (cp. Acts 6:2-6 ). The criteria listed here pertain to character rather than function and are partly a response to the local heretics. Reading this letter in the churches would make the criteria public and demonstrate the unfitness of the heretics for leadership. 3:1 trustworthy saying: See study note on 1:15. • a church leader: The translation assumes that “overseer” and “church leader” (see study note on 5:17-18) are the same office (see Titus 1:5-7 ). In the Greco-Roman world, an overseer was a religious, civic, or military supervisor.

Summary for 1Tim 3:1-13: 3:1-13 ^a The topic shifts to church leadership by elders (3:1-7 ^b) and deacons (3:8-13 ^c). Timothy’s role in the appointments is less clear than that of Titus (see 5:17-22 ^d; Titus 1:5 ^e), possibly because the church in Ephesus was more mature and thus better able to manage the process (cp. Acts 6:2-6 ^f). The criteria listed here pertain to character rather than function and are partly a response to the local heretics. Reading this letter in the churches would make the criteria public and demonstrate the unfitness of the heretics for leadership. 3:1 ^g trustworthy saying: See study note on 1:15.

• a church leader: The translation assumes that “overseer” and “church leader” (see study note on 5:17-18) are the same office (see Titus 1:5-7 ^h). In the Greco-Roman world, an overseer was a religious, civic, or military supervisor.
3:2 ⁱ whose life is above reproach: This is the most general prerequisite for a community leader and public representative (see 3:7 ^j, 10 ^k; 5:7 ^l; 6:14 ^m; Titus 1:6-7 ⁿ; 2:8 ^o).

• must be faithful to his wife (or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; literally must be the husband of one wife; also in 1 Tim 3:12 ^p): This assumes but does not require a married male. It mainly addresses purity and faithfulness in the marriage relationship, something that could not be taken for granted in the surrounding culture; it probably does not prohibit remarriage after the death of a spouse (see 5:9 ^q), nor does it address the issue of polygamy. See also 3:12 ^r; Titus 1:6 ^s; cp. 1 Tim 5:9 ^t.

• enjoy having guests in his home (literally be hospitable): Hospitality was an important duty and a respected virtue in the ancient world. Any traveling Christian would seek out and probably stay with fellow believers (see 2 Jn 1:10-11 ^u; 3 John ^v). In addition, first-century churches often met in private homes (see Col 4:15 ^w; Phlm 1:2 ^x).
Summary for 1Tim 3:4-5: 3:4-5 ^y The church as a household (3:15 ^z) overlapped with the family household. An overseer’s capacity to manage in one sphere reflected his capability in the other (see also 3:12 ^aa; 5:17 ^ab; Rom 12:8 ^ac; 1 Thes 5:12 ^ad).

• The Greco-Roman household was united by familial bonds characterized by mutual responsibilities, roles, and stewardship. The household included the blood relatives living together along with other dependents, such as household servants.
3:7 ^ae Paul expected Christians to live in a way that could be respected by people outside the church (see also 6:1 ^af; Titus 2:5-10 ^ag).

• The trap might pertain to the false teachers (see 1 Tim 1:20 ^ah; 5:14-15 ^ai; 6:9 ^aj; 2 Tim 2:26 ^ak).
Summary for 1Tim 3:8-13: 3:8-13 ^al The Greek word translated deacon (“servant, assistant, courier, agent”) and its cognates (“service, to serve”) are commonly used for service of any kind (e.g., 4:6 ^am; Matt 22:13 ^an; John 2:5 ^ao; 12:26 ^ap; Rom 13:4 ^aq; 1 Cor 3:5 ^ar). As designating an office in the church, it occurs only in 1 Tim 3:8-13 ^as; Phil 1:1 ^at; and (maybe) Rom 16:1 ^au. This passage concentrates on character rather than activities. See also study note on Acts 6:2-6. 3:8 ^av must not be ... dishonest with money (3:3 ^aw): Greed is disreputable and improper (6:6-10 ^ax, 17-19 ^ay; Eph 5:3 ^az; Col 3:5 ^ba), especially for those who lead in the church (1 Tim 3:9 ^bb; see Titus 1:7 ^bc).
3:11 ^bd their wives (or the women deacons): The Greek word can be translated women or wives. In favor of their wives, 3:8-13 ^be is a discussion of male deacons; switching to “women deacons” would disrupt the flow of thought. However, there might have been women deacons in the early church (see Rom 16:1 ^bf). In that case, this verse might parallel 1 Tim 3:8 ^bg.
Summary for 1Tim 3:14-4:16: 3:14–4:16 ^bh This section addresses how Timothy should occupy himself until Paul arrives (3:14-15 ^bi; 4:13 ^bj).
3:15 ^bk household of God: The earliest churches were house churches (Rom 16:5 ^bl; 1 Cor 16:19 ^bm; Col 4:15 ^bn; Phlm 1:2 ^bo) that reflected the codes of conduct of Greco-Roman households (see study note on 1 Tim 3:4-5). Violating these norms brought disrepute, disgrace, and shame on the entire household and its head. The same is true for the church (cp. Eph 2:19-22 ^bp; Heb 3:6 ^bq; 10:21 ^br; 1 Pet 4:17 ^bs).

• the church ... is the pillar and foundation of the truth: This idea may anticipate the transition from the time of the apostles to the period after their deaths (cp. Gal 2:9 ^bt; Rev 3:12 ^bu). The church must be active rather than defensive in upholding the truth in the world (cp. 2 Cor 10:3-6 ^bv).
3:16 ^bw The short hymn or creed in this verse shows the theological richness of early Christian worship.

• Jesus Christ is the only source of godliness.

• vindicated by the Spirit: Christ’s resurrection (Rom 1:4 ^bx) answers the apparent weakness of his life and death as a human, and affirms his teaching.

• seen by angels: This emphasizes Jesus’ sovereign rule in the heavenly realm (see also Eph 1:21 ^by; Phil 2:9-11 ^bz; Heb 1:3-4 ^ca; 1 Pet 3:22 ^cb; Rev 5:8-14 ^cc).

• announced to the nations: Christ’s provision of salvation and sovereign rule must be proclaimed and accepted in the earthly realm as well (cp. 1 Tim 2:1-7 ^cd).

• believed in throughout the world: The mission to the nations is successful, but it does not guarantee universal acceptance.

• Christ was taken to heaven (Luke 24:51 ^ce; Acts 1:2 ^cf, 11 ^cg, 22 ^ch) and was exalted in glory (cp. Acts 7:55-56 ^ci). Christ’s saving work is crowned with success in the world and with glory in heaven.