1 Timothy 3:3
King James Version (KJV)
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Translations
1 Timothy 3:3 - Amplified Bible
Not given to wine, not combative but gentle {and} considerate, not quarrelsome {but} forbearing {and} peaceable, and not a lover of money [insatiable for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means].
1 Timothy 3:3 - American Standard Version
no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
1 Timothy 3:3 - Bible in Basic English
Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;
1 Timothy 3:3 - Darby Bible
not given to excesses from wine, not a striker, but mild, not addicted to contention, not fond of money,
1 Timothy 3:3 - English Standard Version
not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
1 Timothy 3:3 - King James Version
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:3 - La Biblia de las Americas
no dado a la bebida, no pendenciero, sino amable, no contencioso, no avaricioso.
1 Timothy 3:3 - The Message
1 Timothy 3:3 - New American Standard Bible
not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
1 Timothy 3:3 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy
no dado a la bebida, no pendenciero, sino amable, no contencioso, no avaricioso.
1 Timothy 3:3 - World English Bible
not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:3 - Young's Living Translation
not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
1 Timothy 3:3 - Additional Comments
Not given to (much) wine - (see also vs 8) avoids alcohol. See notes on Prov 23:29.
Not violent - not a fighter, not quarrelsome; doesn't demand his rights, allows others to "win" or have the better results
Not greedy for money - (Phil 4:11, 1 Tim 6:10) is content, isn't absorbed with money, either making it or what he doesn't have; doesn't gamble
Gentle - mild, tender, caring, aware of others' state of mind and responds appropriately
Not quarrelsome - similar to not violent, but with words
Not covetous - similar to not greedy for money
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Is gambling wrong? Even though it is not explicitly condemned, consider the following.
1. God presents work as the normal way to get the money we need (Eph 4:28, 2 Thess 3:12, Prov 31). When a person cannot work, others are asked to help (Acts 2:44-45, James 1:27).
2. All my income belongs to God, not me (Psa 24:1), and I am not free to use it as I wish. I am a steward, who should use it for God's purposes. Christians are called on to meet the needs of their family (1 Tim 5:8), and share with others, particularly Christians who have needs (2 Cor 8-9, Gal 6:6-10, 3 John 1). Ask: Does God want me to use His money to buy a lottery ticket?
3. God uses money to accomplish important purposes in my life:
a. Meet basic needs (Matt. 6:11, 1 Tim 6:8).
b. Build character (Phil 4:10-12).
c. Give direction, by providing or withholding resources (Mal 3:10, Hab 3:17-18).
d. Helping others through me (Eph 4:28).
e. Show His power by providing miraculously (Phil 4:19).
Does gambling accomplish these results? Am I looking to God or to the lottery for my needs?
4. Greed and covetousness are sin (1 Tim 6:9-10, Heb 13:5), and these are motives in most gambling.
5. Proverbs warns of disaster for people who want to get rich quickly (Prov 28:20,22).
6. Wealth that comes easily goes just as easily (Eccl 6:2, Deut 28:33,43 Psalm 39:6 Lam 5:2 Hosea 7:9, Prov 13:11).
7. A desire for wealth breaks up families (Prov 15:27).
8. Similar to alcohol, gambling can be addictive, and even if you don't fall prey to it as a compulsive habit, your example may cause others to be enslaved by it (1 Cor. 8:9,13).
Finally, consider the principle of Freedom in Christ but not freedom at the expense of others and ultimately our own soul.
1 Cor 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Ask - "although it might technically be okay to do this, is it something edifying and profitable and is there a possibility of my action harming others?"
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