Tit 1:6-8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife . . Having faithful children . . That is, having a family well-governed, and well-trained in religion. The word here -πιστα-- applied to the children, and rendered faithful, does not necessarily mean that they should be truly pious, but it is descriptive of those who had been well-trained, and were in due subordination. If a man's family were not of his character--if his children were insubordinate, and opposed to religion--if they were decided infidels or scoffers, it would show that there was such a deficiency in the head of the family that he could not be safely entrusted with the government of the church. . It is probably true also, that the preachers at that time would be selected, as far as practicable, from those whose families were all Christians. There might be great impropriety in placing a man over a church, a part of whose family were Jews or Heathens. Not accused of riot . That is, whose children were not accused of riot. This explains what is meant by faithful . The word rendered riot ασωτια is translated excess in , and riot in . It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament, though the word riotous is found in . See it explained . The meaning here is, that they should not be justly accused of this; this should not be their character. It would, doubtless, be a good reason now why a man should not be ordained to the ministry that he had a dissipated and disorderly family. Or unruly . Insubordinate; ungoverned. ; and .

Titus 1:6-8

Verse 6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife. 1Timm 3:2.

Having faithful children. 1Timm 3:4,6. That is, having a family well-governed, and well-trained in religion. The word here -πιστα-- applied to the children, and rendered faithful, does not necessarily mean that they should be truly pious, but it is descriptive of those who had been well-trained, and were in due subordination. If a man's family were not of his character--if his children were insubordinate, and opposed to religion--if they were decided infidels or scoffers, it would show that there was such a deficiency in the head of the family that he could not be safely entrusted with the government of the church. 1Timm 3:5. It is probably true also, that the preachers at that time would be selected, as far as practicable, from those whose families were all Christians. There might be great impropriety in placing a man over a church, a part of whose family were Jews or Heathens.

Not accused of riot. That is, whose children were not accused of riot. This explains what is meant by faithful. The word rendered riot ασωτια is translated excess in Eph 5:18, and riot in Tit 1:6, 1Pet 4:4. It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament, though the word riotous is found in Lk 15:13. See it explained Eph 5:18. The meaning here is, that they should not be justly accused of this; this should not be their character. It would, doubtless, be a good reason now why a man should not be ordained to the ministry that he had a dissipated and disorderly family.

Or unruly. Insubordinate; ungoverned. 1Timm 1:9; and 1Timm 3:4. Verse 7. For a bishop must be blameless. 1Timm 3:2.

As the steward of God. 1Cor 4:1; 1Cor 4:2. A man, in order to perform the duties of such an office, should be one against whom no accusation could lie.

Not self-willed. Comp. 2Pet 2:10. The word-- αυθαδης not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means, properly, self-complacent; and then, assuming, arrogant, imperious, Rob. Lex. The gist of the offence--the very "head and front"--is that of being self-complacent; a trait of character which of necessity, makes a man imperious, dogmatical, impatient of contradiction, and unyielding. Such a man, evidently, is not fit for the office of a minister of the gospel.

Not soon angry. 1Timm 3:2, and the margin there.

Not given to wine. 1Timm 3:3.

No striker. 1Timm 3:3.

Not given to filthy lucre. In 1Timm 3:3, "Not greedy of filthy lucre." The same Greek word is used.

A lover of good men. Marg., "or things." The Greek (φιλαγαθος) means, a lover of good, and may apply to anything that is good. It may refer to good men, as included under the general term good; and there is no more essential qualification of a bishop than this. A man who sustains the office of a minister of the gospel, should love every good object, and be ever ready to promote it; and he should love every good man, no matter in what denomination or country he may be found--no matter what his complexion, and no matter what his rank in life. Comp. Php 4:8.

Sober. 1Timm 3:2.

Just. Upright in his dealings with all. A minister can do little good who is not. Comp. Php 4.8.

Holy. Pious, or devout. Faithful in all his duties to God. 1Timm 2:8.

Temperate. εγκρατη. Having power or control over all his passions. We apply the term, now, with reference to abstinence from intoxicating liquors. In the Scriptures, it incudes not only that, but also much more. It implies control over all our passions and appetites. See it explained Acts 24:25. Comp. 1Cor 7:9 1Cor 9:25; Gal 5:23.

(2) "good men" "good things"