1 Timothy 3:1

King James Version (KJV)

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Translations

1 Timothy 3:1 - Amplified Bible

THE SAYING is true {and} irrefutable: If any man [eagerly] seeks the office of bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work).

1 Timothy 3:1 - American Standard Version

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

1 Timothy 3:1 - Bible in Basic English

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

1 Timothy 3:1 - Darby Bible

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

1 Timothy 3:1 - English Standard Version

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

1 Timothy 3:1 - King James Version

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1 Timothy 3:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

Palabra fiel es ésta: Si alguno aspira al cargo de obispo, buena obra desea hacer.

1 Timothy 3:1 - 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.

1 Timothy 3:1 - 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.}

1 Timothy 3:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Palabra fiel es ésta: si alguien aspira al cargo de obispo (supervisor), buena obra desea hacer.

1 Timothy 3:1 - World English Bible

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

1 Timothy 3:1 - Young's Living Translation

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

1 Timothy 3:1 - Additional Comments

Elder (Gk. "presbuteros") and overseer (bishop) (Gk. "episkopos") designate the same office (vs 10,12, Titus 1:5,7; Acts 20:17-28, 1 Pet 5:1-2, Phil 1:1), the former referring to the man, the latter to a function of the office. The eldership in the apostolic churches was usually plural; there is no instance of only one elder in a local church. The functions of the elders are to rule (1 Tim 3:4-5; 5:17), to teach (1 Tim 5:17), to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error (Titus 1:9), and to oversee the church as a shepherd oversees his flock (John 21:16, Acts 20:28, Heb 13:17, 1 Pet 5:2, James 5:14). Elders are set by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), but great care is taken in the appointment decisions (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In Titus and 1 Timothy the qualifications of an elder are listed in Scripture for the guidance of the churches in making such appointments (1 Tim 3:1 - 7).
Note that the office of elder is a good work, but it is work which requires diligence and effort. Those in this office are not in it for recognition or position (although there are benefits listed in vs 13), but to meet the needs of others. They are to be mostly a servant, as Christ was (Mark 10:45).
It is a good work of greatest importance, focused on nothing less than the life and happiness of souls.
The position of elder should only be offered to those who desire it, to those who feel led by the Holy Spirit to take the position. Without that desire and appointment by the Holy Spirit, even if the person has the qualities of an elder, it won't work, and the church is headed for trouble.

Comments are closed.