1 Timothy 3:1

International Standard Version

This saying is trustworthy:[fn]Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:12; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:15;">[xr] The one who would an elder be, A noble task desires he.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
It is a true statement that anyone whose goal is to serve as an elder has his heart set on a good work.

Revised Standard Version
The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
This is a true sayinge. Yf a ma covet ye office of a bysshope he desyreth a good worke.

Hebrew Names Version
This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work.

New American Standard Bible
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

New Century Version
What I say is true: Anyone wanting to become an overseer desires a good work.

Update Bible Version
Faithful is the saying, If a man seeks the office of overseer, he desires a good work.

Webster's Bible Translation
This [is] a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

English Standard Version
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

World English Bible
This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
This is a faithful saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Weymouth's New Testament
Faithful is the saying, "If any one is eager to have the oversight of a Church, he desires a noble work."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
A feithful word. If ony man desirith a bishopriche, he desirith a good werk.

English Revised Version
Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Berean Standard Bible
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.

Contemporary English Version
It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile.

Amplified Bible
This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task.

American Standard Version
Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Bible in Basic English
This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.

Complete Jewish Bible
Here is a statement you can trust: anyone aspiring to be a congregation leader is seeking worthwhile work.

Darby Translation
The word [is] faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work.

Etheridge Translation
1 This saying is faithful, that if a man desire the presbyterate, [fn] a good work he desireth.

Murdock Translation
It is a faithful saying, that if a man desireth the eldership, he desireth a good work.

King James Version (1611)
This is a true saying: If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good worke.

New Living Translation
This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position."

New Life Bible
It is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work.

New Revised Standard
The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.

Geneva Bible (1587)
This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthie worke.

George Lamsa Translation
THIS is a true saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he aspires to a good work.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If anyone, for oversight, is eager, a noble work, doth he covet: -

Douay-Rheims Bible
A faithful saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth good work.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
This is] a faithful saying: Yf a man desire ye office of a bishop, he desireth a good worke.

Good News Translation
This is a true saying: If a man is eager to be a church leader, he desires an excellent work.

Christian Standard Bible®
This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.”

King James Version
This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Lexham English Bible
The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work.

Literal Translation
Faithful is the Word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work.

Young's Literal Translation
Stedfast [is] the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
This is a true sayege: Yf a ma covet ye office of a Bisshoppe, he desyreth a good worke.

Mace New Testament (1729)
He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable.

THE MESSAGE
If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

New English Translation
This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work."

New King James Version
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, [fn] he desires a good work.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't let this go in one ear and out the other, whoever thinks they're ready to be a wagon boss on God's outfit desires a good thing, but it'll also be hard. Don't choose them based on looks.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.

Contextual Overview

¹ This saying is trustworthy:[fn]Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:12; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:15;">[xr] The one who would an elder be, A noble task desires he. ² Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife,devoted to his wife; lit. a man of one woman">[fn] stable, sensible, respectable, a lover of strangers, and teachable.able to teach">[fn]1 Timothy 5:9; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:6;">[xr] ³ He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or a lover of money.1 Timothy 3:8; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2;">[xr] ⁴ He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way.Titus 1:6;">[xr] ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he might become arrogant and fall into the condemnation of the devil.Isaiah 14:12;">[xr] ⁷ He must be well thought of by outsiders, lest he fall into disgrace and the trap set for him bythe trap of">[fn] the devil.Acts 22:12; 1 Corinthians 5:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Timothy 2:26;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

is a: 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 4:9, 2 Timothy 2:11, Titus 3:8

the office: 1 Timothy 3:2-7, Acts 1:20, Philippians 1:1, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 2:25

bishop: Acts 20:28, Hebrews 12:15, 1 Peter 4:15, 1 Peter 5:2,*Gr.

desireth: Proverbs 11:30, Luke 15:10, Romans 11:13, Ephesians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, James 5:19, James 5:20

Reciprocal: Numbers 4:3 - to do Deuteronomy 18:6 - and come with 1 Chronicles 15:16 - chief Matthew 26:10 - a good

Cross-References

Matthew 4:3
The tempter came and said to him, "IfSince">[fn] you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread."

Matthew 4:6
He said to Jesus,him">[fn] "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written,Psalm 91:11-12;">[xr] 'GodHe">[fn] will put his angels in charge of you,' and 'With their hands they will hold you up, so that you will never hit your foot against a rock.'"Psalm 91:11-12">[fn]

Matthew 4:9
He said to Jesus,him">[fn] "I will give you all of these things if you will bow down and worship me!"

Matthew 10:16
"See, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as serpents and as innocent as doves.Luke 10:3; Romans 16:19; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 5:15; Philippians 2:15;">[xr]

2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.Galatians 1:8;">[xr]

1 Peter 3:7
In a similar way, you husbands must live with your wives in an understanding manner, as with a most delicate vessel.the weaker vessel">[fn] Honor them as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing may interfere with your prayers.Job 1:42:8; Matthew 5:23-24; 18:19; 1 Corinthians 7:3; 12:23; Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:4;">[xr]

Revelation 12:9
The huge dragon was thrown down. That ancient serpent, called devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down to the earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.Genesis 3:1,4; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Revelation 9:1; 20:2-3;">[xr]

Revelation 20:2
He captured the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and tied him up for a thousand years.2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 12:9;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

This is a true saying,.... Some think this clause belongs to the last verse of the preceding chapter; and then the sense is, this is a doctrine that is true, and to be believed, that there is salvation through the birth of a Son, or through the incarnate Son of God, for men and women that believe in him, and continue in the faith of him, and love to him, joined with works of righteousness and holiness. And so the same phrase seems to belong to what goes before in 1 Timothy 4:8. Though it regards what follows in 1 Timothy 1:15 and so it seems that it should be considered here; and is used to excite attention, and suggests that what was about to be said was of moment and importance, and what was without controversy, and unquestionably true. The apostle, having denied to women the work and office of teaching, proceeds to observe, that though this belonged to men, yet not to every man; and therefore he gives the qualifications of such; which might serve as a direction to churches, in the choice of them; as well as be a means of stirring up persons in such an office, to a proper regard to themselves and their work:

if a man desire the office of a bishop; which is the same with that of a pastor or elder; and so here the Syriac version renders it, "if a man desires presbytery, or eldership"; and it lies in preaching the word, administering the ordinances of the Gospel, and taking care of the discipline of the church, and in the visiting, inspection, and oversight of it; as the word επισκοπη, "episcopacy", here used, signifies; and this work and office may be lawfully and laudably desired, with a view to the glory of God, and the good of immortal souls. Nor should any undertake it, but such who find in themselves an hearty desire, and inclination to it, on such principles, and a real delight and pleasure in it; and such an one

he desireth a good work: the office of a bishop, elder, or pastor of a church, "is a work", and a very laborious one; wherefore such are called labourers in the word and doctrine: it is not a mere title of honour, and a place of profit, but it is a business of labour and care; yet a good one, a famous and excellent one; it being an employment in things of the greatest excellency in themselves, and of the greatest usefulness for the good of men, and the honour of God; as the doctrines, ordinances, and discipline of the Gospel; and so must be excellently, honestly, pleasantly, and profitably a good work.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This is a trite saying - Greek, “Faithful is the word” - the very phrase which is used in 1 Timothy 1:15; see the notes on that verse. The idea here is, that it was worthy of credence; it was not to be doubted.

If a man desire - Implying that there would be those who would wish to be put into the ministry. The Lord, undoubtedly, by his Spirit, often excites an earnest and irrepressible desire to preach the gospel - a desire so strong, that he in whom it exists can be satisfied in no other calling. In such a case, it should be regarded as one evidence of a call to this work. The apostle, however, by the statements which follow, intimates that wherever this desire exists, it is of the utmost importance to have just views of the nature of the office, and that there should be other qualifications for the ministry than a mere desire to preach the gospel. He proceeds, therefore, to state those qualifications, and no one who “desires” the office of the ministry should conclude that he is called to it, unless these qualifications substantially are found in him. The word rendered “desire” here (ὀρέγω oregō), denotes properly, “to reach” or “stretch out” - and hence to reach after anything, to long after, to try to obtain; Hebrews 11:16.

The office of a bishop - The Greek here is a single word - ἐπισκοπῆς episkopēs. The word ἐπισκοπή episkopē - “Episcope” - whence the word “Episcopal” is derived - occurs but four times in the New Testament. It is translated “visitation” in Luke 19:44, and in 1 Peter 2:12; “bishoprick,” Acts . Acts 1:20; and in this place “office of a bishop.” The verb from which it is derived (ἐπισκοπέω episkopeō), occurs but twice, In Hebrews 12:15, it is rendered “looking diligently,” and in 1 Peter 5:2, “taking the oversight.” The noun rendered bishop occurs in Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25. The verb means, properly, to look upon, behold; to inspect, to look after, see to, take care of; and the noun denotes the office of overseeing, inspecting, or looking to. It is used to denote the care of the sick, Xeno. Oec. 15, 9; compare “Passow;” and is of so general a character that it may denote any office of overseeing, or attending to. There is nothing in the word itself which would limit it to any class or grade of the ministry, and it is, in fact, applied to nearly all the officers of the church in the New Testament, and, indeed, to Christians who did not sustain “any” office. Thus it is applied:

(a)To believers in general, directing them to “look diligently, lest anyone should fail of the grace of God,” Hebrews 12:15;

(b)To the elders of the church at Ephesus, “over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,”Acts 20:28; Acts 20:28;

(c)To the elders or presbyters of the church in 1 Peter 5:2, “Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof;

(d)To the officers of the church in Philippi, mentioned in connection with deacons as the only officers of the church there, “to the saints at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,” Philippians 1:1;

(e)To Judas, the apostate. Acts 1:20; and,

(f)To the great Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:25, “the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

From this use of the term it follows:

(1) That the word is never used to designate the “uniqueness” of the apostolic office, or so as to have any special applicability to the apostles. Indeed, the term “bishop” is “never” applied to any of them in the New Testament; nor is the word in any of its forms ever used with reference to them, except in the single case of “Judas,” Acts 1:20.

(2) It is never employed in the New Testament to designate an order of men superior to presbyters, regarded as having any other functions than presbyters, or being in any sense “successors” to the apostles. It is so used now by the advocates of prelacy; but this is a use wholly unknown to the New Testament. It is so undeniable that the name is never given in the New Testament to those who are now called “bishops,” that even Episcopalians concede it. Thus, Dr. Onderdonk (Tract on Episcopacy, p. 12) says, “All that we read in the New Testament concerning ‘bishops’ is to be regarded as pertaining to the ‘middle grade;’ that is, to those who are now regarded as ‘priests.’” This is not strictly correct, as is clear from the remarks above respecting what is called the “middle grade;” but it is strictly correct, so far as it affirms that it is “never” applied to prelates.

(3) It is used in the New Testament to denote ministers of the gospel who had the care or oversight of the churches, without any regard to grade or rank.

(4) It has now, as used by Episcopalians, a sense which is wholly unauthorized by the New Testament, and which, indeed, is entirely at variance with the usage there. To apply the term to a pretended superior order of clergy, as designating their special office, is wholly to depart from the use of the word as it occurs in the Bible.

(5) As it is never used in the Scriptures with reference to “prelates,” it “should” be used with reference to the pastors, or other officers of the church; and to be a “pastor,” or “overseer” of the flock of Christ, should be regarded as being a scriptural bishop.

He desireth a good work - An honorable office; an office which it is right for a man to desire. There are some stations in life which ought never to be desired; it is proper for anyone to desire the office of a bishop who has the proper qualifications; compare notes on Romans 11:13.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER III.

Concerning bishops, their qualifications and work, 1-7.

Of deacons, and how they should be proved, 8-10.

Of their wives and children, and how they should be governed,

11-13.

How Timothy should behave himself in the Church, 14, 15.

The great mystery of godliness, 16.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse 1 Timothy 3:1. This is a true saying — πιστος ο λογος. This is a true doctrine. These words are joined to the last verse of the preceding chapter by several of the Greek fathers, and by them referred to the doctrine there stated.

The office of a bishop — επισκοπης. The episcopacy, overseership or superintendency. The word ορεγεται, which we translate desire, signifies earnest, eager, passionate desire; and επιθυμει, which we translate desire, also signifies earnestly to desire or covet. It is strange that the episcopacy, in those times, should have been an object of intense desire to any man; when it was a place of danger, awl exposure to severe labour, want, persecution, and death, without any secular emolument whatsoever. On this ground I am led to think that the Spirit of God designed these words more for the ages that were to come, than for those which were then; and in reference to after ages the whole of what follows is chiefly to be understood.

A good work. — A work it then was; heavy, incessant, and painful. There were no unpreaching prelates in those days, and should be none now. Episcopacy in the Church of God is of Divine appointment, and should be maintained and respected. Under God, there should be supreme governors in the Church as well as in the state. The state has its monarch, the Church has its bishop; one should govern according to the laws of the land, the other according to the word of God.

What a constitutional king should be, the principles of the constitution declare; what a bishop should be, the following verses particularly show.