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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 3:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Ti 3:1	Strong Concordance	This is a true [4103] saying [3056], If a man [1536] desire [3713] the office of a bishop [1984], he desireth [1937] a good [2570] work [2041].
	King James	This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
RULES AS TO BISHOPS (OVERSEERS) AND DEACONS. THE CHURCH, AND THE GOSPEL MYSTERY NOW REVEALED TO IT, ARE THE END OF ALL SUCH RULES. (1Ti. 3:1-16) Translate as Greek, "Faithful is the saying." A needful preface to what follows: for the office of a bishop or overseer in Paul's day, attended as it was with hardship and often persecution, would not seem to the world generally a desirable and "good work." desire--literally, "stretch one's self forward to grasp"; "aim at": a distinct Greek verb from that for "desireth." What one does voluntarily is more esteemed than what he does when asked (Co1 16:15). This is utterly distinct from ambitious desires after office in the Church. (Jam 3:1). bishop--overseer: as yet identical with "presbyter" (Act 20:17, Act 20:28; Tit 1:5-7). good work--literally, "honorable work." Not the honor associated with it, but the work, is the prominent thought (Act 15:38; Phi 2:30; compare Ti2 4:5). He who aims at the office must remember the high qualifications needed for the due discharge of its functions.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

RULES AS TO BISHOPS (OVERSEERS) AND DEACONS. THE CHURCH, AND THE GOSPEL MYSTERY NOW REVEALED TO IT, ARE THE END OF ALL SUCH RULES. (1Ti. 3:1-16)

Translate as Greek, "Faithful is the saying." A needful preface to what follows: for the office of a bishop or overseer in Paul's day, attended as it was with hardship and often persecution, would not seem to the world generally a desirable and "good work."

desire--literally, "stretch one's self forward to grasp"; "aim at": a distinct Greek verb from that for "desireth." What one does voluntarily is more esteemed than what he does when asked (Co1 16:15). This is utterly distinct from ambitious desires after office in the Church. (Jam 3:1).

bishop--overseer: as yet identical with "presbyter" (Act 20:17, Act 20:28; Tit 1:5-7).

good work--literally, "honorable work." Not the honor associated with it, but the work, is the prominent thought (Act 15:38; Phi 2:30; compare Ti2 4:5). He who aims at the office must remember the high qualifications needed for the due discharge of its functions.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
This is a trite saying - Greek, "Faithful is the word" - the very phrase which is used in Ti1 1:15; see the notes on that verse. The idea here is, that it was worthy of credence; it was not to be doubted. If a man desire - Implying that there would be those who would wish to be put into the ministry. The Lord, undoubtedly, by his Spirit, often excites an earnest and irrepressible desire to preach the gospel - a desire so strong, that he in whom it exists can be satisfied in no other calling. In such a case, it should be regarded as one evidence of a call to this work. The apostle, however, by the statements which follow, intimates that wherever this desire exists, it is of the utmost importance to have just views of the nature of the office, and that there should be other qualifications for the ministry than a mere desire to preach the gospel. He proceeds, therefore, to state those qualifications, and no one who "desires" the office of the ministry should conclude that he is called to it, unless these qualifications substantially are found in him. The word rendered "desire" here (ὀρέγω oregō), denotes properly, "to reach" or "stretch out" - and hence to reach after anything, to long after, to try to obtain; Heb 11:16. The office of a bishop - The Greek here is a single word - ἐπισκοπῆς episkopēs. The word ἐπισκοπή episkopē - "Episcope" - whence the word "Episcopal" is derived - occurs but four times in the New Testament. It is translated "visitation" in Luk 19:44, and in Pe1 2:12; "bishoprick," Acts . Act 1:20; and in this place "office of a bishop." The verb from which it is derived (ἐπισκοπέω episkopeō), occurs but twice, In Heb 12:15, it is rendered "looking diligently," and in Pe1 5:2, "taking the oversight." The noun rendered bishop occurs in Act 20:28; Phi 1:1; Ti1 3:2; Tit 1:7; Pe1 2:25. The verb means, properly, to look upon, behold; to inspect, to look after, see to, take care of; and the noun denotes the office of overseeing, inspecting, or looking to. It is used to denote the care of the sick, Xeno. Oec. 15, 9; compare "Passow;" and is of so general a character that it may denote any office of overseeing, or attending to. There is nothing in the word itself which would limit it to any class or grade of the ministry, and it is, in fact, applied to nearly all the officers of the church in the New Testament, and, indeed, to Christians who did not sustain "any" office. Thus it is applied: (a) to believers in general, directing them to "look diligently, lest anyone should fail of the grace of God," Heb 12:15; (b) to the elders of the church at Ephesus, "over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers," Act 20:28; (c) to the elders or presbyters of the church in Pe1 5:2, "Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof; (d) to the officers of the church in Philippi, mentioned in connection with deacons as the only officers of the church there, "to the saints at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons," Phi 1:1; (e) to Judas, the apostate. Act 1:20; and, (f) to the great Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, Pe1 2:25, "the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." From this use of the term it follows: (1) That the word is never used to designate the "uniqueness" of the apostolic office, or so as to have any special applicability to the apostles. Indeed, the term "bishop" is "never" applied to any of them in the New Testament; nor is the word in any of its forms ever used with reference to them, except in the single case of "Judas," Act 1:20. (2) it is never employed in the New Testament to designate an order of men superior to presbyters, regarded as having any other functions than presbyters, or being in any sense "successors" to the apostles. It is so used now by the advocates of prelacy; but this is a use wholly unknown to the New Testament. It is so undeniable that the name is never given in the New Testament to those who are now called "bishops," that even Episcopalians concede it. Thus, Dr. Onderdonk (Tract on Episcopacy, p. 12) says, "All that we read in the New Testament concerning 'bishops' is to be regarded as pertaining to the 'middle grade;' that is, to those who are now regarded as 'priests.'" This is not strictly correct, as is clear from the remarks above respecting what is called the "middle grade;" but it is strictly correct, so far as it affirms that it is "never" applied to prelates. (3) it is used in the New Testament to denote ministers of the gospel who had the care or oversight of the churches, without any regard to grade or rank. (4) it has now, as used by Episcopalians, a sense which is wholly unauthorized by the New Testament, and which, indeed, is entirely at variance with the usage there. To apply the term to a pretended superior order of clergy, as designating their special office, is wholly to depart from the use of the word as it occurs in the Bible. (5) as it is never used in the Scriptures with reference to "prelates," it "should" be used with reference to the pastors, or other officers of the church; and to be a "pastor," or "overseer" of the flock of Christ, should be regarded as being a scriptural bishop. He desireth a good work - An honorable office; an office which it is right for a man to desire. There are some stations in life which ought never to be desired; it is proper for anyone to desire the office of a bishop who has the proper qualifications; compare notes on Rom 11:13.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

This is a trite saying - Greek, "Faithful is the word" - the very phrase which is used in Ti1 1:15; see the notes on that verse. The idea here is, that it was worthy of credence; it was not to be doubted.

If a man desire - Implying that there would be those who would wish to be put into the ministry. The Lord, undoubtedly, by his Spirit, often excites an earnest and irrepressible desire to preach the gospel - a desire so strong, that he in whom it exists can be satisfied in no other calling. In such a case, it should be regarded as one evidence of a call to this work. The apostle, however, by the statements which follow, intimates that wherever this desire exists, it is of the utmost importance to have just views of the nature of the office, and that there should be other qualifications for the ministry than a mere desire to preach the gospel. He proceeds, therefore, to state those qualifications, and no one who "desires" the office of the ministry should conclude that he is called to it, unless these qualifications substantially are found in him. The word rendered "desire" here (ὀρέγω oregō), denotes properly, "to reach" or "stretch out" - and hence to reach after anything, to long after, to try to obtain; Heb 11:16.

The office of a bishop - The Greek here is a single word - ἐπισκοπῆς episkopēs. The word ἐπισκοπή episkopē - "Episcope" - whence the word "Episcopal" is derived - occurs but four times in the New Testament. It is translated "visitation" in Luk 19:44, and in Pe1 2:12; "bishoprick," Acts . Act 1:20; and in this place "office of a bishop." The verb from which it is derived (ἐπισκοπέω episkopeō), occurs but twice, In Heb 12:15, it is rendered "looking diligently," and in Pe1 5:2, "taking the oversight." The noun rendered bishop occurs in Act 20:28; Phi 1:1; Ti1 3:2; Tit 1:7; Pe1 2:25. The verb means, properly, to look upon, behold; to inspect, to look after, see to, take care of; and the noun denotes the office of overseeing, inspecting, or looking to. It is used to denote the care of the sick, Xeno. Oec. 15, 9; compare "Passow;" and is of so general a character that it may denote any office of overseeing, or attending to. There is nothing in the word itself which would limit it to any class or grade of the ministry, and it is, in fact, applied to nearly all the officers of the church in the New Testament, and, indeed, to Christians who did not sustain "any" office. Thus it is applied:

(a) to believers in general, directing them to "look diligently, lest anyone should fail of the grace of God," Heb 12:15;

(b) to the elders of the church at Ephesus, "over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers," Act 20:28;

(c) to the elders or presbyters of the church in Pe1 5:2, "Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof;

(d) to the officers of the church in Philippi, mentioned in connection with deacons as the only officers of the church there, "to the saints at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons," Phi 1:1;

(e) to Judas, the apostate. Act 1:20; and,

(f) to the great Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, Pe1 2:25, "the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

From this use of the term it follows:

(1) That the word is never used to designate the "uniqueness" of the apostolic office, or so as to have any special applicability to the apostles. Indeed, the term "bishop" is "never" applied to any of them in the New Testament; nor is the word in any of its forms ever used with reference to them, except in the single case of "Judas," Act 1:20.

(2) it is never employed in the New Testament to designate an order of men superior to presbyters, regarded as having any other functions than presbyters, or being in any sense "successors" to the apostles. It is so used now by the advocates of prelacy; but this is a use wholly unknown to the New Testament. It is so undeniable that the name is never given in the New Testament to those who are now called "bishops," that even Episcopalians concede it. Thus, Dr. Onderdonk (Tract on Episcopacy, p. 12) says, "All that we read in the New Testament concerning 'bishops' is to be regarded as pertaining to the 'middle grade;' that is, to those who are now regarded as 'priests.'" This is not strictly correct, as is clear from the remarks above respecting what is called the "middle grade;" but it is strictly correct, so far as it affirms that it is "never" applied to prelates.

(3) it is used in the New Testament to denote ministers of the gospel who had the care or oversight of the churches, without any regard to grade or rank.

(4) it has now, as used by Episcopalians, a sense which is wholly unauthorized by the New Testament, and which, indeed, is entirely at variance with the usage there. To apply the term to a pretended superior order of clergy, as designating their special office, is wholly to depart from the use of the word as it occurs in the Bible.

(5) as it is never used in the Scriptures with reference to "prelates," it "should" be used with reference to the pastors, or other officers of the church; and to be a "pastor," or "overseer" of the flock of Christ, should be regarded as being a scriptural bishop.

He desireth a good work - An honorable office; an office which it is right for a man to desire. There are some stations in life which ought never to be desired; it is proper for anyone to desire the office of a bishop who has the proper qualifications; compare notes on Rom 11:13.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
This is a true saying (πιστὸς ὁ λόγος) Better, faithful is the saying. See on Ti1 1:15. Desire (ὀρέγεται) Better, seeketh. Only here, Ti1 6:10, and Heb 11:16. Originally to stretch forth, to reach after. Here it implies not only desiring but seeking after. Desire is expressed by ἐπιθυμεῖ immediately following. The word implies eagerness, but not of an immoderate or unchristian character. Comp. the kindred word ὄρεξις with its terrible meaning in Rom 1:27. The office of a bishop (ἐπισκοπῆς) oP. Ἑπίσκοπος superintendent, overseer, by Paul only in Phi 1:1. The fundamental idea of the sword is overseeing. The term ἐπίσκοπος was not furnished by the gospel tradition: it did not come from the Jewish synagogue, and it does not appear in Paul's lists of those whom God has set in the church (Co1 12:28; Eph 4:11). Its adoption came about in a natural way. Just as senatus, γερουσία and πρεσβύτερος passed into official designations through the natural association of authority with age, so ἐπίσκοπος would be, almost inevitably, the designation of a superintendent. This process of natural selection was probably aided by the familiar use of the title In the clubs and guilds to designate functions analogous to those of the ecclesiastical administrator. The title can hardly be traced to the O.T. There are but two passages in lxx where the word has any connection with religious worship, Num 4:16; Kg2 11:18. It is applied to God (Job 20:29), and in N.T. to Christ (Pe1 2:25). It is used of officers in the army and of overseers of workmen. The prevailing O.T. sense of ἐπισκοπὴ is visitation for punishment, inquisition, or numbering. He desireth (ἐπιθυμεῖ) See on Pe1 1:12.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
He desireth a good work - An excellent, but laborious, employment.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
This is a true saying - Πιστος ὁ λογος· This is a true doctrine. These words are joined to the last verse of the preceding chapter by several of the Greek fathers, and by them referred to the doctrine there stated. The office of a bishop - Επισκοπης· The episcopacy, overseership or superintendency. The word ορεγεται, which we translate desire, signifies earnest, eager, passionate desire; and επιθυμει, which we translate desire, also signifies earnestly to desire or covet. It is strange that the episcopacy, in those times, should have been an object of intense desire to any man; when it was a place of danger, awl exposure to severe labor, want, persecution, and death, without any secular emolument whatsoever. On this ground I am led to think that the Spirit of God designed these words more for the ages that were to come, than for those which were then; and in reference to after ages the whole of what follows is chiefly to be understood. A good work - A work it then was; heavy, incessant, and painful. There were no unpreaching prelates in those days, and should be none now. Episcopacy in the Church of God is of Divine appointment, and should be maintained and respected. Under God, there should be supreme governors in the Church as well as in the state. The state has its monarch, the Church has its bishop; one should govern according to the laws of the land, the other according to the word of God. What a constitutional king should be, the principles of the constitution declare; what a bishop should be, the following verses particularly show.

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⁵ But [1161] watch [3525] thou [4771] in [1722] all things [3956], endure afflictions [2553], do [4160] the work [2041] of an evangelist [2099], make full proof [4135] of thy [4675] ministry [1248].

³⁰ Because [3754] for [1223] the work [2041] of Christ [5547] he was nigh [1448] unto [3360] death [2288], not regarding [3851] his life [5590], to [2443] supply [378] your [5216] lack [5303] of service [3009] toward [4314] me [3165].

³⁸ But [1161] Paul [3972] thought [515] not [3361] good [515] to take [4838] him [5126] with them [4838], who [3588] departed [868] from [575] them [846] from [575] Pamphylia [3828], and [2532] went [4905] not [3361] with them [846] to [1519] the work [2041].

⁵ For this [5127] cause [5484] left I [2641] thee [4571] in [1722] Crete [2914], that [2443] thou shouldest set in order [1930] the things that are wanting [3007], and [2532] ordain [2525] elders [4245] in every [2596] city [4172], as [5613] I [1473] had appointed [1299] thee [4671]:
⁶ If any [1536] be [2076] blameless [410], the husband [435] of one [3391] wife [1135], having [2192] faithful [4103] children [5043] not [3361] accused [1722] [2724] of riot [810] or [2228] unruly [506].
⁷ For [1063] a bishop [1985] must [1163] be [1511] blameless [410], as [5613] the steward [3623] of God [2316]; not [3361] selfwilled [829], not [3361] soon angry [3711], not [3361] given to wine [3943], no [3361] striker [4131], not [3361] given to filthy lucre [146];

²⁸ Take heed [4337] therefore [3767] unto yourselves [1438], and [2532] to all [3956] the flock [4168], over [1722] the which [3739] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] hath made [5087] you [5209] overseers [1985], to feed [4165] the church [1577] of God [2316], which [3739] he hath purchased [4046] with [1223] his own [2398] blood [129].

¹⁷ And [1161] from [575] Miletus [3399] he sent [3992] to [1519] Ephesus [2181], and called [3333] the elders [4245] of the church [1577].

¹ My [3450] brethren [80], be [1096] not [3361] many [4183] masters [1320], knowing [1492] that [3754] we shall receive [2983] the greater [3187] condemnation [2917].

¹⁵ [1161] I beseech [3870] you [5209], brethren [80], (ye know [1492] the house [3614] of Stephanas [4734], that [3754] it is [2076] the firstfruits [536] of Achaia [882], and [2532] that they have addicted [5021] themselves [1438] to [1519] the ministry [1248] of the saints [40],)

¹³ For [1063] I speak [3004] to you [5213] Gentiles [1484], inasmuch as [1909] [3745] [3303] I [1473] am [1510] the apostle [652] of the Gentiles [1484], I magnify [1392] mine [3450] office [1248]:

²⁰ For [1063] it is written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of Psalms [5568], Let [1096] his [846] habitation [1886] be [1096] desolate [2048], and [2532] let [2077] no man [3361] dwell [2730] therein [1722] [846]: and [2532] his [846] bishoprick [1984] let [2983] another [2087] take [2983].

²⁵ For [1063] ye were [2258] as [5613] sheep [4263] going astray [4105]; but [235] are [1994] now [3568] returned [1994] unto [1909] the Shepherd [4166] and [2532] Bishop [1985] of your [5216] souls [5590].

¹ Paul [3972] and [2532] Timotheus [5095], the servants [1401] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], to all [3956] the saints [40] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] which are [5607] at [1722] Philippi [5375], with [4862] the bishops [1985] and [2532] deacons [1249]:

² Feed [4165] the flock [4168] of God [2316] which is among [1722] you [5213], taking the oversight [1983] thereof, not [3361] by constraint [317], but [235] willingly [1596]; not [3366] for filthy lucre [147], but [235] of a ready mind [4290];

¹⁵ Looking diligently [1983] lest [3361] any man [5100] fail [5302] of [575] the grace [5485] of God [2316]; lest [3361] any [5100] root [4491] of bitterness [4088] springing [5453] up [507] trouble [1776] you, and [2532] thereby [1223] [5026] many [4183] be defiled [3392];

⁷ For [1063] a bishop [1985] must [1163] be [1511] blameless [410], as [5613] the steward [3623] of God [2316]; not [3361] selfwilled [829], not [3361] soon angry [3711], not [3361] given to wine [3943], no [3361] striker [4131], not [3361] given to filthy lucre [146];

² A bishop [1985] then [3767] must [1163] be [1511] blameless [423], the husband [435] of one [3391] wife [1135], vigilant [3524], sober [4998], of good behaviour [2887], given to hospitality [5382], apt to teach [1317];

¹² Having [2192] your [5216] conversation [391] honest [2570] among [1722] the Gentiles [1484]: that [2443], whereas [1722] [3739] they speak against [2635] you [5216] as [5613] evildoers [2555], they may [1392] by [1537] your good [2570] works [2041], which they shall behold [2029], glorify [1392] God [2316] in [1722] the day [2250] of visitation [1984].

⁴⁴ And [2532] shall lay [1474] thee [4571] even with the ground [1474], and [2532] thy [4675] children [5043] within [1722] thee [4671]; and [2532] they shall [863] not [3756] leave [863] in [1722] thee [4671] one stone [3037] upon [1909] another [3037]; because [473] [3739] thou knewest [1097] not [3756] the time [2540] of thy [4675] visitation [1984].

¹⁶ But [1161] now [3570] they desire [3713] a better [2909] country, that is [5123], an heavenly [2032]: wherefore [1352] God [2316] is [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] [846] to be called [1941] their [846] God [2316]: for [1063] he hath prepared [2090] for them [846] a city [4172].

¹⁵ This is a faithful [4103] saying [3056], and [2532] worthy [514] of all [3956] acceptation [594], that [3754] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] came [2064] into [1519] the world [2889] to save [4982] sinners [268]; of whom [3739] I [1473] am [1510] chief [4413].

¹² Unto whom [3739] it was revealed [601], that [3754] not [3756] unto themselves [1438], but [1161] unto us [2254] they did minister [1247] the things [846], which [3739] are [312] now [3568] reported [312] unto you [5213] by [1223] them that have preached the gospel [2097] unto you [5209] with [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] sent down [649] from [575] heaven [3772]; which things [3739] the angels [32] desire [1937] to look [3879] into [1519].

²⁹ This is the portion [02506] of a wicked [07563] man [0120] from God [0430], and the heritage [05159] appointed [0561] unto him by God [0410].

¹⁸ And all the people [05971] of the land [0776] went [0935] into the house [01004] of Baal [01168], and brake it down [05422]; his altars [04196] and his images [06754] brake they in pieces [07665] thoroughly [03190], and slew [02026] Mattan [04977] the priest [03548] of Baal [01168] before [06440] the altars [04196]. And the priest [03548] appointed [07760] officers [06485] [06486] over the house [01004] of the LORD [03068].

¹⁶ And to the office [06486] of Eleazar [0499] the son [01121] of Aaron [0175] the priest [03548] pertaineth the oil [08081] for the light [03974], and the sweet [05561] incense [07004], and the daily [08548] meat offering [04503], and the anointing [04888] oil [08081], and the oversight [06486] of all the tabernacle [04908], and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary [06944], and in the vessels [03627] thereof.

¹¹ And [2532] he [846] gave [1325] some [3303], apostles [652]; and [1161] some, prophets [4396]; and [1161] some, evangelists [2099]; and [1161] some, pastors [4166] and [2532] teachers [1320];

²⁸ And [2532] [3739] God [2316] hath set [5087] some [3303] in [1722] the church [1577], first [4412] apostles [652], secondarily [1208] prophets [4396], thirdly [5154] teachers [1320], after that [1899] miracles [1411], then [1534] gifts [5486] of healings [2386], helps [484], governments [2941], diversities [1085] of tongues [1100].

²⁷ And [5037] likewise [3668] also [2532] the men [730], leaving [863] the natural [5446] use [5540] of the woman [2338], burned [1572] in [1722] their [846] lust [3715] one toward another [1519] [240]; men [730] with [1722] men [730] working [2716] that which is unseemly [808], and [2532] receiving [618] in [1722] themselves [1438] that recompence [489] of their [846] error [4106] which [3739] was meet [1163].

¹⁰ For [1063] the love of money [5365] is [2076] the root [4491] of all [3956] evil [2556]: which [3739] while some [5100] coveted after [3713], they have erred [635] from [575] the faith [4102], and [2532] pierced [4044] themselves [1438] through [4044] with many [4183] sorrows [3601].