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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 3:7 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 3:7 |
King James |
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
a good report--Greek, "testimony." So Paul was influenced by the good report given of Timothy to choose him as his companion (Act 16:2).
of them which are without--from the as yet unconverted Gentiles around (Co1 5:12; Col 4:5; Th1 4:12), that they may be the more readily won to the Gospel (Pe1 2:12), and that the name of Christ may be glorified. Not even the former life of a bishop should be open to reproach [BENGEL].
reproach and the snare of the devil--reproach of men (Ti1 5:14) proving the occasion of his falling into the snare of the devil (Ti1 6:9; Mat 22:15; Ti2 2:26). The reproach continually surrounding him for former sins might lead him into the snare of becoming as bad as his reputation. Despair of recovering reputation might, in a weak moment, lead some into recklessness of living (Jer 18:12). The reason why only moral qualities of a general kind are specified is, he presupposes in candidates for a bishopric the special gifts of the Spirit (Ti1 4:14) and true faith, which he desires to be evidenced outwardly; also he requires qualifications in a bishop not so indispensable in others. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without - Who are without the church; that is, of those who are not Christians. This includes, of course, "all" classes of those who are not Christians - pagans, infidels, Jews, moral people, and scoffers. The idea is, that he must have a fair reputation with them for integrity of character. His life must be in their view upright. He must not be addicted to anything which they regard as inconsistent with good morals. His deportment must be such that they shall regard it as not inconsistent with his profession. He must be true and just and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and so live that they cannot say that he has wronged them. He must not give occasion for scandal or reproach in his contact with the other sex, but must be regarded as a man of a pure life and of a holy walk. The "reason" for this injunction is obvious.
It is his business to endeavor to do such people good, and to persuade them to become Christians. "But no minister of the gospel can possibly do such people good, unless they regard him as an upright and honest man." No matter how he preaches or prays; no matter how orthodox, learned, or apparently devout he may be, all his efforts will be in vain unless they regard him as a man of incorruptible integrity. If they hate religion themselves, they insist justly that since he has professed it he shall be governed by its principles; or if they feel its importance, they will not be influenced to embrace it by a man that they regard as hypocritical and impure. Go to a man whom you have defrauded, or who regards you as having done or attempted wrong to any other one, and talk to him about the necessity of religion, and he will instinctively say that he does not "want" a religion which will not make its professor true, honest, and pure. It is impossible, therefore, for a minister to over-estimate the importance of having a fair character in the view of the world, and no man should be introduced into the ministry, or sustained in it, who has not a fair reputation; compare Col 4:5 note; Th1 4:12 note.
Lest he fall into reproach - That is, in such a way as to bring dishonor on the ministerial character. His life will be such as to give people occasion to reproach the cause of religion.
And the snare of the devil - The snare which the devil lays to entrap and ruin the ministers of the gospel and all good people. The snare to which reference is here made, is that of "blasting the character and influence of the minister of the gospel." The idea is, that Satan lays this snare so to entangle him as to secure this object, and the means which he uses is the vigilance and suspicion of those who are out of the church. If there is anything of this kind in the life of a minister which they can make use of, they will be ready to do it. Hence, the necessity on his part of an upright and blameless life. Satan is constantly aiming at this thing; the world is watching for it, and if the minister has any "propensity" which is not in entire accordance with honesty, Satan will take advantage of it and lead him into the snare. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
A good report (μαρτυριαν καλὴν)
Comp. Act 6:3. Not only does καλός occur in the Pastorals nearly twice as many times as in Paul, but the usage is different. Out of 16 instances in Paul, there is but one in which καλός is not used substantively (Rom 7:16), while in the Pastorals it is, almost without exception, used adjectively. Μαρτυρίαν, better testimony. Comp. Tit 1:13. Not in Paul, who uses μαρτύριον.
Of them which are without (ἀπὸ τῶν ἔξωθεν)
Ἔξωθεν only once in Paul (Co2 7:6), and οἱ ἔξωθεν nowhere in Paul, and only here in Pastorals. Paul's phrase is ὁ ἔξω: see Co1 5:12, Co1 5:13; Co2 4:16; Th1 4:12.
Reproach (ὀνειδισμὸν)
By Paul in Rom 15:3 : only here in Pastorals: three times in Hebrews.
Snare (παγίδα)
Comp. Ti1 6:9; Ti2 2:26. In Paul, Rom 11:9, see note. Both reproach and snare govern διαβόλου. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| He ought also to have a good report - To have had a fair character in time past. From them that are without - That are not Christians. Lest he fall into reproach - By their rehearsing his former life, which might discourage and prove a snare to him. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The sixteenth requisite is, that he should have a good report of them which are without - That he should be one who had not been previously a profligate, or scandalous in his life. Such a person, when converted, may be a worthy private member of religious society; but I believe God rarely calls such to the work of the ministry, and never to the episcopate. Them that are without are the Jews, Gentiles, and the unconverted of all kinds. For the meaning of this term see the note on Col 4:5.
Lest he fall into reproach - For his former scandalous life.
And the snare of the devil - Snares and temptations, such as he fell in and fell by before. This is called the snare of the devil; for, as he well knows the constitution of such persons, and what is most likely to prevail, he infers that what was effectual before to their transgressing may be so still; therefore on all suitable occasions he tempts them to their old sins. Backsliders in general fall by those sins to which they were addicted previously to their conversion. Former inveterate habits will revive in him who does not continue to deny himself, and watch unto prayer.
The snare of the devil. - Some would translate παγιδα του διαβολου, the snare of the accuser; and they give the same meaning to the word in Ti1 3:6, because it is evident that διαβολους has that meaning, Ti1 3:11, and our translators render it slanderers. Now, though διαβολος signifies an accuser, yet I do not see that it can, with any propriety, be restrained to this meaning in the texts in question, and especially as the word is emphatically applied to Satan himself; for he who, in Rev 12:10, is called the accuser of the brethren, is, in Rev 12:9, called the great dragon, the old serpent, the Devil, διαβολος, and Satan. |
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
12 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.