1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER THREE
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

• GREEK TENSES:
• PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing action.
• AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
• FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined in the future.
• PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
• IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood, and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
• PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the past.
• GREEK CASES:
• GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though it can denote source of the action.
• INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the object of the verb.
• DAT= Dative Case
• NOM= Nominative Case
• ACC= Accusative
• PL= Plural
• SG= Singular
• GREEK VOICES:
• AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject of the verb.
• PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of the verb.
• MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself or to itself.
• GREEK MOODS:
• IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
• OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses a wish or desire.
• IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
• SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.
• OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:
• PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having gone, receiving the gift".
• ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something. Example, The Spirit out of God.
• INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to go, to throw.

1 Timothy 3:1

This is a true saying, (PISTOS HO LOGOS = faithful is the Word) [1 Tim 1.15; 4.9; Tit 3.8; 2 Tim 2.11]

If a man desire (Pr Mid Ind OREGOMAI = reach out, aspire to, seek to obtain something)

the office of a bishop, (Gen Sg EPISKOPOS = of an overseer, of a guardian, supervisor. The Pastor is the guardian and leader of the local Church)

he desireth (Pr Ac Ind EPITHUMEO = longs for)

a good (KALOS = honorable)

work.

1 Timothy 3:2

A bishop (Gen Sg EPISKOPOS = of an overseer, of a guardian, supervisor. The Pastor is the guardian and leader of the local Church)

then must be (impersonal verb DEI + Pr Ac Infin EIMI = has a duty to be)

blameless, (ANEPILEMNPTOS = irreproachable, above reproach. Could refer to character, could refer to knowledge and application of the Word of God)

the husband of one wife, (ANER accus + gen sg HEIS + gen sg GUNE = a one woman man. Some believe that this means married only once, whereas others interpret it to mean married to only one woman at a time. The text only makes it certain that a polygamist is barred from the EPISKOPOS)

vigilant, (NEPHALIOS = temperate, not given to wine)

sober, (SOPHRON accus = sound of mind, having good common sense)

of good behavior, (KOSMIOS = honorable in the soul)

given to hospitality, (PHILOXZENOS = hospitable, kind in dealing with people)

apt to teach; (DIDAKTIKOS = skillful in teaching)
 
 

Translator's Remarks I have had the displeasure of meeting ministers in the past 24 some odd years who engaged in backbiting, gossip, and other forms of poor behavior. In one instance I know a young man who had his character "murdered" by a Pastor, so much so that the young man was unable to function in the Church due to the subsequent suspicion that the Pastor brought on him. Pastors must understand that they, I repeat, they, set the tone of their respective Churches. If the Pastor "shares" something outside of the confessional with other Church members, he sets the tone for backbiting. If he, out of pride, competes with other believers in the Church, he sets this spirit of ungodly competition throughout the flock. The rule of thumb is if you are going to say something derogatory about someone, then say it to their face first. To do less is hypocrisy, and we do not need that in the Church of God. Yes, Pastors are human, but if you seek this office you must understand the full implications of PHILOXZENOS. If not, do not aspire to the office.

1 Timothy 3:3

Not given to wine, (PAROINOS = to be sitting beside the wine, to drink to the point of drunkenness)

no striker, (ME TOSTES = not one who punches or hits another person; emphasizes a quick temper)

not greedy of filthy lucre; (accus compound APHILARGUROS = not a lover of money)

but patient, (DE + EPIEIKES = but fair and reasonable)

not a brawler, (AMAKOS = not unfair or unreasonable)

not covetous;
 
 

Related Doctrine: Alcohol 1. Drunkenness is always condemned as sin: Isa 5.11, 22; 28.7-8; Prov 20.1; 23.20; Ro 13.13; 1 Cor 5.11; Eph 5.18 2. Leaders are to avoid drinking: a. Kings: Prov 31.4-5. Alexander the Great died from alcohol at age 32. b. Pastors: 1 Tim 3.3 c. Deacons: 1 Tim 3.8 3. Drunkenness caused problems for the Patriarchs: a. Noah: Gen 9.21 b. Nabal: 1 Sam 25.36-37 c. Ephraim: Isa 28.1 d. Lot: Gen 19.32-36 4. Alcohol is used a medication in certain instances: a. Mental fatigue: Prov 31.7 b. Nervousness and stomach ailments: 1 Tim 5.23 5. Adverse effects of alcohol include abusive behavior, uncoordination, damages eyesight, causes hallucination, damages liver and can kill. 6. Though Jesus turned water into wine, His action neither condoned nor condemned drinking (John 2.1-11; Jud 9.13; Psa 104.15)

1 Timothy 3:4

One that ruleth well (Pr Mid Part PROISTEMI = continually governs, manages, rules)

his own house, having (Pr Ac Part ECHO = always having and holding)

his children in subjection (EN + locative HUPOTAGE = in subordination)

with all gravity;

1 Timothy 3:5

(For if a man know (OIDA = does not have an innate knowledge of)

not how to rule his own house, how (interrogative POS = how in the world. Demands a negative answer)

shall he take care of the church of God?)

1 Timothy 3:6

Not a novice, (NEOPHUTON = a new plant, a neophyte, a new believer)

lest (HINA + ME = in order that he not be)

being lifted up (Ao Pas Part TUPHOO = having received blindness, being blinded)

with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (objective gen DIABOLOS + HO = of the slanderer. The novice can be lifted up with pride like Satan was lifted up with pride, and thus fall as Satan fell)

1 Timothy 3:7

Moreover he must have (DEI + Pr Ac Infin ECHO = has a duty to have and hold)

a good report (accus MARTURIA + adj KALOS = honorable reputation)

of them which are without; (APO + abl pl HO + adv EXZOTHEN = from those outside. A reference to unbelievers outside the local Church)

lest he fall into reproach (EIS + accus ONEIDISMOS = into disgrace)

and the snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise (HOSAUTOS = likewise, in the same manner [as the overseer])

must the deacons (DIAKONOS masc accus pl = deacons, waiters, ministers, administrators, servants) [Acts 6.1-5]

be grave, (accus pl SEMNOS = worthy of respect, honorable)

not double tongued, (ME + DILOGOS = not saying one thing while meaning another, deceitful, hypocritical in speech, not given to double-talk)

not given to (Pr Ac Part PROSECHO + ME = not paying attention to, guarding against)

much wine, not (Pr Ac Part ECHO + ME = do not be having or holding)

greedy of filthy lucre; (AISCHROKERDES = indecent profit)

1 Timothy 3:9

Holding (Pr Ac Part ECHO = always having and holding)

the mystery (accus sg MUSTERION = the fraternal secret, mystery. A reference to Church Age doctrine)

of the faith in a pure conscience.

1 Timothy 3:10

And let these also first (PROTOS = first in point of time. Before being accepted to the office they must first be tested)

be proved; (Pr Pas Imper DOKIMAZO = [assayer's term] to be tested and found of good quality)

then (ETAH adv = then afterwards)

let them use the office of a deacon, (DIAKONEO, Pr Ac Imper = serve as a Deacon)

being (Pr Ac Part EIMI = having been and continuing to be)

found blameless. (pred nominative masc pl compound ANEGKLETOS = unaccused before the law)

1 Timothy 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave, (SEMNOS, accus pl = worthy of respect, honorable)

not slanderers, (ME + accus pl DIABOLOS = not malicious gossips)

sober, (MEPHALIOS, accus pl = temperate in wine)

faithful in all things.

1 Timothy 3:12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, (HEIS + GUNE = of one wife. Deacons, like Overseers, must not be polygamous) [Rom 7.1-4; Mat 5.32; 1 Cor 7.15; Isa 44.22]

ruling (PROISTEMI, Pr Mid Part = to govern, manage, rule)

their children (objective gen pl TEKNON = young children)

and their own houses well. (KALOS, adv = honorably, commendably)

1 Timothy 3:13

For they that have used the office of a deacon (DIAKONEO Ao Ac Part = having served as deacons)

well purchase (Pr Mid Ind PERIPOIEO = obtain, acquire, gain for ones self)

to themselves a good degree, (KALOS + BATHMOS = a profitable standing)

and great boldness (POLUS + PARRESIA = much confidence)

in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:14

These things write I (Pr Ac Ind GRAPHO = I am writing so that it stands)

unto thee, hoping (ELPIZO, Pr Ac Part = having a sense of expectation, expecting to)

to come (Ao Ac Infin ERCHOMAI = to be able to come. Paul was never able to come to Timothy, as Nero had him imprisoned as a traitor to the state)

unto thee (PROS + SU = face to face with you)

shortly: (EN + TACHEI = with speed, without delay)

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry (Pr Ac Subj BRADUNO = I am delayed)

long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave (Pr Mid Infin ANASTREPHO = to function, to conduct ones self normally)

thyself in the house of God, which is (Pr Ac Ind EIMI = keeps on being)

the church (EKKLESIA nom fem sg = local Church)

of the living (Pr Ac Ind ZAO = always living, eternal)

God, the pillar (STULOS = column, the basic support of the building)

and ground (EDRAIOMA = foundation)

of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy (HOMOLOGOUMONOS = by consent of all, all agree)

great is (Pr Ac Ind EIMI = keeps on being)

the mystery of godliness: God was manifest (PHANEROO Ao Pas Ind = was made visible so as to be seen. A reference to Jesus Christ)

in the flesh, justified (Ao Pas Ind DIKAIOO = vindicated)

in the Spirit, seen (Ao Pas Ind HORAO = carefully observed)

of angels, preached (Ao Pas Ind KERUSSO = proclaimed by preaching) [Isa 42.6; 49.6; Luke 2.32; Acts 13.47]

unto the Gentiles, (EN + loc ETHNE = among the nations)

believed on in the world, received up (Ao Pas Ind ANALAMBANO = was taken up)

into glory.

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