FAITHFUL IS THE SAYING (πιστος ο λογος). Here the phrase points to the preceding words (not like 1 Timothy 1:15) and should close the preceding paragraph.IF A MAN SEEKETH (ε τις ορεγετα). Condition of first class, assumed as true. Present middle indicative of ορεγω, old verb to reach out after... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BISHOP (τον επισκοπον). The overseer. Old word, in LXX, and inscriptions and papyri. Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, pp. 230f.) has shown it is applied to communal officials in Rhodes. See Acts 20:28 for its use for the elders (presbyters) in verse 1 Timothy 3:17. So also in Titus 1:5; Titus 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO BRAWLER (μη παροινον). Later word for the earlier παροινιος, one who sits long at (beside, παρα) his wine. In N.T. only here and Titus 1:3.NO STRIKER (μη πληκτην). Late word from πλησσω, to strike. In N.T. only here and Titus 1:3.GENTLE (επιεικη). See on Philippians 4:5 for this interestin... [ Continue Reading ]
RULING (προισταμενον). Present middle participle of προιστημ, old word to place before and (intransitive as here) to stand before. See 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Romans 12:8.IN SUBJECTION (εν υποταγη). See verse 1 Timothy 3:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN KNOWETH NOT (ε τις ουκ οιδεν). Condition of first class, assumed as true.HOW TO RULE (προστηνα). Second aorist active infinitive of same verb προιστημ and with οιδεν means "know how to rule," not "know that he rules."HOW (πως). Rhetorical question expecting negative answer.SHALL HE T... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT A NOVICE (μη νεοφυτον). Our "neophyte." Vernacular word from Aristophanes on, in LXX, and in papyri in the original sense of "newly-planted" (νεοσ, φυω). Only here in N.T.LEST (ινα μη). "That not."BEING PUFFED UP (τυφωθεις). First aorist passive participle of τυφοω, old word (from τυφος,... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT (απο των εξωθεν). "From the outside (of the church) ones." Paul's care for the witness of outsiders is seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Colossians 4:5. There are, of course, two sides to this matter.REPROACH (ονειδισμον). Late word from ονειδιζω. See... [ Continue Reading ]
DEACONS (διακονους). Accusative case of general reference like the preceding with δε εινα understood. Technical sense of the word here as in Philippians 1:1 which see (two classes of church officers, bishops or elders, deacons).GRAVE (σεμνους). See Philippians 4:8. Repeated in verse 1 Timothy 3... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH (το μυστηριον της πιστεως). "The inner secret of the faith," the revelation given in Christ. See for μυστηριον in Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 3:9).IN A PURE CONSCIENCE (εν καθαρα συνειδησε). See 1 Timothy 1:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST BE PROVED (δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον). Present passive imperative third plural of δοκιμαζω, old and common verb, to test as metals, etc. (1 Thessalonians 2:4, and often in Paul). How the proposed deacons are to be "first" tested before approved Paul does not say. See Philippians 1:10 for the tw... [ Continue Reading ]
WOMEN (γυναικας). Accusative with δε εινα understood (οσαυτως, likewise) as in verse 1 Timothy 3:8. Apparently "women as deacons" (Romans 16:1 about Phoebe) and not women in general or just "wives of deacons." See Pliny (_Ep_. X. 97) _ministrae_.NOT SLANDERERS (μη διαβολους). Original meaning of... [ Continue Reading ]
OF ONE WIFE (μιας γυναικος). At a time as in verse 1 Timothy 3:2.RULING WELL (προισταμενο καλως). As in 1 Timothy 3:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
GAIN TO THEMSELVES (εαυτοις περιποιουντα). Present middle indicative of περιποιεω, old verb, to make besides (περ, around, over), to lay by. Reflexive (indirect) middle with reflexive pronoun (εαυτοις) repeated as often happens in the _Koine_. In N.T. only here, Luke 17:33; Acts 20:28 (Paul also,... [ Continue Reading ]
SHORTLY (εν ταχε). Old idiom (locative case of ταχος, quickness, speed). See Romans 16:20. A pseudonymous writer would hardly have put in this phrase. Paul's hopes were not to be realized, but he did not know that.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF I TARRY LONG (εαν δε βραδυνω). Condition of third class with εαν and the present active subjunctive of βραδυνω, old verb, to be slow (usually intransitive), from βραδυς (slow, dull, Luke 24:25), in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 3:9.THAT THOU MAYEST KNOW (ινα ειδηις). Final clause with ινα a... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT CONTROVERSY (ομολογουμενως). Old adverb from the participle ομολογουμενος from ομολογεω. Here only in N.T. "Confessedly."GREAT (μεγα). See Ephesians 5:32. "A great mystery."THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS (το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον). See verse 1 Timothy 3:9 "the mystery of the faith," and 1... [ Continue Reading ]