1 Timothy 3:1-7

1 Timothy 3:1-7

[1] This is a true  saying,  desire  the office of a bishop,  he desireth  a good  work.  [2] A bishop  then  must  blameless,  the husband  wife,  vigilant,  sober,  of good behaviour,  given to hospitality,  apt to teach;  [3] Not  given to wine,  no  striker,  not  but  patient,  not a brawler,  not covetous;  [4] One that ruleth  well  his own  house,  having  his children  in  subjection  with  all  gravity;  [5] (For  not  how  to rule  his own  house,  how  shall he take care of  the church  of God?)  [6] Not  a novice,  being lifted up with pride  he fall  into  the condemnation  of the devil.  [7] Moreover  must  have  a good  report  of  them which are without;  he fall  into  reproach  and  the snare  of the devil. 

What does 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Ephesian church already had elders long before Paul wrote this letter ( Acts 20:17-35).
"If our identification of the false teachers as elders is correct, then Paul"s reason for this set of instructions is that Timothy must see to it that elders are living according to their appointment, that Isaiah , by these standards. At the same time, of course, the whole church will be listening in and will thus be given the grounds for discipline of erring elders as well as for their replacement (cf. 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 Timothy 5:24-25)." [1]