1Ti 3:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | 3:2 whose life is above reproach: This is the most general prerequisite for a community leader and public representative (see 3:7 , 10 ; 5:7 ; 6:14 ; Titus 1:6-7 ; 2:8 ). • 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 ): 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 ), nor does it address the issue of polygamy. See also 3:12 ; Titus 1:6 ; cp. 1 Tim 5:9 . • 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 ; 3 John ). In addition, first-century churches often met in private homes (see Col 4:15 ; Phlm 1:2 ).

a3:2►

b3:7►

c10►

d5:7►

e6:14►

fTitus 1:6-7►

g2:8►

h1 Tim 3:12►

i5:9►

j3:12►

kTitus 1:6►

l1 Tim 5:9►

m2 Jn 1:10-11►

n3 John►

oCol 4:15►

pPhlm 1:2►

‏ 1 Timothy 3:2-3

3:2 ^a whose life is above reproach: This is the most general prerequisite for a community leader and public representative (see 3:7 ^b, 10 ^c; 5:7 ^d; 6:14 ^e; Titus 1:6-7 ^f; 2:8 ^g).

• 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 ^h): 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 ⁱ), nor does it address the issue of polygamy. See also 3:12 ^j; Titus 1:6 ^k; cp. 1 Tim 5:9 ^l.

• 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 ^m; 3 John ⁿ). In addition, first-century churches often met in private homes (see Col 4:15 ^o; Phlm 1:2 ^p).