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1 Timothy 3:14

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 3:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly;
1 Timothy 3:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well.
13For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly;
15but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
← 1 Timothy 3:131 Timothy 3:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“These things write I unto thee, etc.] Concerning the offices of bishops and deacons, their several qualifications, and the rules of judging of persons fit for such service: hoping to come unto thee shortly; at Ephesus. He could not tell whether he could come or not, and therefore makes no promise, but hoped he should; and since it was uncertain, he thought fit to write the above things for his instruction and use.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“write I . . . hoping--that is, "though I hope to come unto thee shortly" (Ti1 4:13). As his hope was not very confident (Ti1 3:15), he provides for Timothy's lengthened superintendence by giving him the preceding rules to guide him. He now proceeds to give more general instructions to him as an evangelist, having a "gift" committed to him (Ti1 4:14). shortly--Greek, "sooner," namely, than is presupposed in the preceding directions given to him. See my Introduction on this verse. This verse best suits the theory that this First Epistle was not written after Paul's visit and departure from Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20:38) when he had resolved to winter at Corinth after passing the summer in Macedonia…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly - That is, he hoped to come there to give instructions personally, or to finish, himself, the work which he had commenced in Ephesus, and which had been interrupted by his being driven so unexpectedly away. This verse proves that the apostle Paul did not regard Timothy as the permanent diocesan bishop of Ephesus. Would any Episcopal bishop write this to another bishop? If Timothy were the permanent prelate of Ephesus, would Paul have intimated that he expected soon to come and take the work of completing the arrangements there into his own hands? In regard to his expectation of going soon to Ephesus, see the notes on 1 Timothy…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:14–4:16 This section addresses how Timothy should occupy himself until Paul arrives (3:14-15; 4:13).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hoping: Ti1 4:13; Co1 11:34, Co1 16:5-7; Co2 1:15-17; Th1 2:18; Plm 1:22; Heb 13:23; Jo2 1:12; Jo3 1:14 1 Timothy 3:15”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Timothy 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification