1 Timothy 3:6

“Not a novice, etc.] Or one newly planted, the Arabic version adds, “in the faith”; meaning not a young man, for so was Timothy himself; but a young professor and church member; one that is lately come to the knowledge of the truth, and has just embraced and professed it, and become a member of a church, a new plant there: so the Hebrew word [jn, “a plant”, is by the Septuagint in (<181409>Job 14:9) rendered by this very word. The reason why such a person should not be a bishop, elder, or pastor of a church, is, lest being lifted up with pride; through the dignity of the office he is advanced to, and the high opinion of men he stands in, and the great gifts qualifying him for such a place, he…”

“not a novice--one just converted. This proves the Church of Ephesus was established now for some time. The absence of this rule in the Epistle to Titus, accords with the recent planting of the Church at Crete. Greek, "neophyte," literally, "a young plant"; luxuriantly verdant (Rom 6:5; Rom 11:17; Co1 3:6). The young convert has not yet been disciplined and matured by afflictions and temptations. Contrast Act 21:16, "an old disciple." lifted up with pride--Greek, literally, "wrapt in smoke," so that, inflated with self-conceit and exaggerated ideas of his own importance, he cannot see himself or others in the true light (Ti1 6:4; Ti2 3:4). condemnation of the devil--into the same condemnation…”

“Not a novice - Margin, “one newly come to the faith.” The Greek word, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, means, properly, that which is “newly planted.” Thus it would mean a plant that was not strong, or not fitted to bear the severity of storms; that had not as yet struck its roots deep, and could not resist the fierceness of a cold blast. Then the word comes to mean a new convert; one who has had little opportunity to test his own faith, or to give evidence to others that he would be faithful to the trust committed to him. The word does not refer so much to one who is young “in years,” as one who is young “in faith.” Still, all the reasons which apply against introducing a…”

“Lest being puffed up - With this new honour, or with the applause which frequently follows it. He fall into the condemnation of the devil - The same into which the devil fell. 1 Timothy 3:7”

“novice: or, one newly come to the faith, Co1 3:1; Heb 5:12, Heb 5:13; Pe1 2:2 lest: Deu 8:14, Deu 17:20; Kg2 14:10; Ch2 26:16, Ch2 32:25; Pro 16:18, Pro 16:19, Pro 18:12; Pro 29:23; Isa 2:12; Co1 4:6-8, Co1 8:1; Co2 12:7; Pe1 5:5 the condemnation: Isa 14:12-14; Luk 10:18; Pe2 2:4; Jde 1:6 1 Timothy 3:7”