Summary of 1 Timothy, Chapter 3

We can be sure of this: that if someone desires to be a Bishop he desires a good work. So the Bishop must be blameless, married only once, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, a good teacher, not addicted to drink, not violent but gentle, abstaining from quarreling, and not fond of money. He should be fully in charge of his own house, keeping his children in subjection with all dignity. If someone does not know how to manage even his own home, how could he manage the Church of God? A Bishop should not be a recent convert, for then he might become proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil. He must also have a good reputation with those outside the Church, so he may not be reproached or fall into a trap of the devil.

Similarly deacons must be worthy of respect, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not desiring filthy gain, holding to the mystery of faith in a clean conscience. They should be tested first, and then, if they are found to be without reproach, serve as deacons. The women similarly must be worthy of respect, not slanderers or detractors, sober, faithful in all things. The deacons must be married once, well in charge of their children and their own homes. For those who serve well as deacons gain for themselves honor and much confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul is writing thee things to him, even though he hopes to come to him very soon, but if he is delayed, so he may know how it is necessary to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, and is the pillar and support of the truth. All agree that the mystery of piety is great, "which became manifest in the flesh, was shown righteous in the Spirit, appeared to angels, was preached among the gentiles, was believed in the world, and was taken up in glory."

Comments on Chapter 3

Paul does not mention priests or presbyters. The two words were not clearly separate at that time. Thus in Acts 20:17 & 28 the same persons are given the two names. In Titus 1, if we compare verses 5 & 7, Paul seems to use the two words indiscriminately.

The qualities required of bishops and deacons are rather similar and obviously needed.

It is puzzling that Paul injects a mention of women in the middle of his words on deacons. Most likely he means the wives of deacons, for that would fit well enough. To mention deaconesses would be a strange sequence of thought. Deaconesses were not ordained, as Canon 19 of the First General Council, Nicea, tells us, but helped with baptisms and with the sick.

Some have understood verse 13 to mean that if a man serves well as a deacon he has taken a good step, on the way to becoming a priest. This would not fit well historically, for then the diaconate was permanent.

The last words, "who was manifested in the flesh . . ." refer to Christ. They seem like an early hymn. The "mystery of piety" could refer to Him, or to God's plan for the world.