1 Timothy 3:1

“This is a true saying, etc.] 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 (<540408>1 Timothy 4:8,9 <550210>2 Timothy 2:10,11). Though it regards what follows in (<540115>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…”

“RULES AS TO BISHOPS (OVERSEERS) AND DEACONS. THE CHURCH, AND THE GOSPEL MYSTERY NOW REVEALED TO IT, ARE THE END OF ALL SUCH RULES. (1Ti. 3:1-16) Translate as Greek, "Faithful is the saying." A needful preface to what follows: for the office of a bishop or overseer in Paul's day, attended as it was with hardship and often persecution, would not seem to the world generally a desirable and "good work." desire--literally, "stretch one's self forward to grasp"; "aim at": a distinct Greek verb from that for "desireth." What one does voluntarily is more esteemed than what he does when asked (Co1 16:15). This is utterly distinct from ambitious desires after office in the Church. (Jam 3:1).…”

“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…”

“He desireth a good work - An excellent, but laborious, employment. 1 Timothy 3:2”

“3:1-13 The topic shifts to church leadership by elders (3:1-7) and deacons (3:8-13). Timothy’s role in the appointments is less clear than that of Titus (see 5:17-22; Titus 1:5), possibly because the church in Ephesus was more mature and thus better able to manage the process (cp. Acts 6:2-6). The criteria listed here pertain to character rather than function and are partly a response to the local heretics. Reading this letter in the churches would make the criteria public and demonstrate the unfitness of the heretics for leadership. 3:1 trustworthy saying: See study note on 1:15. • a church leader: The translation assumes that “overseer” and “church leader” (see study note on 5:17-18) are…”

“is a: Ti1 1:15, Ti1 4:9; Ti2 2:11; Tit 3:8 the office: Ti1 3:2-7; Act 1:20; Phi 1:1; Tit 1:7; Pe1 2:25 bishop: Act 20:28; Heb 12:15; Pe1 4:15, Pe1 5:2 \*Gr. desireth: Pro 11:30; Luk 15:10; Rom 11:13; Eph 4:12; Th1 5:14; Jam 5:19, Jam 5:20 1 Timothy 3:2”