1 Timothy 3 1

1 Timothy 3:1 kjv

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

1 Timothy 3:1 nkjv

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

1 Timothy 3:1 niv

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

1 Timothy 3:1 esv

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

1 Timothy 3:1 nlt

This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position."

1 Timothy 3 verses

1 Timothy 3 1 Meaning

First Timothy 3:1 presents a foundational truth regarding leadership in the church, declaring that the aspiration to serve as an overseer is a commendable and divinely approved desire. It establishes this aspiration as a "trustworthy saying," indicating its widespread acceptance and theological importance among early believers. This verse sets the stage for the qualifications that follow, emphasizing that the role of an overseer is not a position of mere prestige but a demanding, good, and noble work, demanding selfless service and a shepherd's heart.

1 Timothy 3 1 Context

First Timothy is a pastoral epistle written by Paul to his disciple Timothy, whom he had left in Ephesus to oversee the church there. The letter addresses matters of church order, doctrine, and conduct. Chapter 3 specifically focuses on the qualifications for church leaders, starting with overseers (bishops) and then deacons. The verse "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work" serves as an introduction and theological foundation for the detailed requirements that follow. Historically, the early church was growing rapidly, requiring structured leadership to combat false teachings (addressed in chapters 1 and 4) and to ensure proper administration, spiritual nurture, and evangelical outreach. The call for "overseers" signified a transition from purely charismatic, unstructured ministry to a more established and organized ecclesial framework, vital for the church's stability and perpetuation beyond the apostolic era.

1 Timothy 3 1 Word analysis

• This is a faithful saying: (Greek: πίστος ὁ λόγος, pistos ho logos)

  • Significance: This phrase is a common Pauline rhetorical device in the pastoral epistles (1 Tim 1:15, 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Tit 3:8). It introduces a weighty, well-accepted, and universally applicable truth or proverb within the early Christian community. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and reliability of the statement that follows. It is not Paul's personal opinion but a core tenet of Christian faith and practice.

• If a man: (Greek: εἴ τις, ei tis)

  • Significance: "If anyone." This generic phrase implies the opportunity is open to any believer who meets the spiritual and character qualifications outlined later. It is not limited to a select few by birth or social status, but by spiritual readiness and genuine desire.

• desires: (Greek: ὀρέγεται, oregetai)

  • Significance: This verb means to "reach out for," "stretch after," "long for," or "aspire to." It conveys a strong, earnest, and heartfelt longing, not merely a casual wish or a selfish ambition for power or recognition. The nuance is towards a proactive, genuine yearning for the service itself, rooted in spiritual motivation, rather than personal gain or pride. It suggests a divine prompting or inclination towards this sacred responsibility.

• the office of a bishop: (Greek: ἐπισκοπῆς, episkopēs)

  • Significance: This is the noun form of episkopos (overseer or bishop). In the New Testament, episkopos and presbyteros (elder) are often used interchangeably for the same spiritual leadership role (e.g., Acts 20:17, 28; Tit 1:5, 7). The term implies oversight, watchfulness, care, and management. It refers to the function of overseeing and shepherding the flock of God. This "office" is primarily a demanding task of service, leadership, and pastoral care, not an hierarchical position of domination.

• he desires a good work: (Greek: καλὸν ἔργον, kalon ergon)

  • Significance:
    • Good: (καλόν, kalon) conveys more than just morally "good." It signifies something noble, beautiful, excellent, honorable, beneficial, and commendable in God's eyes. It suggests that this work is inherently beautiful in its purpose and impact.
    • Work: (ἔργον, ergon) emphasizes labor, toil, effort, and practical service. It highlights that the role of an overseer is not a leisurely position but a demanding, active, and diligent ministry that requires significant effort and sacrifice.
    • "he desires a good work" (words-group): This phrase reiterates the preceding point. The one who truly desires the episkopē (office of overseer) intrinsically desires the noble and arduous work associated with it, implying a selfless commitment to serving God and His people, not self-exaltation. This second "desires" reinforces that the earnest longing is for the work itself, rather than merely the title or status. The ambition is not worldly but heavenly-minded.

1 Timothy 3 1 Bonus section

The interchangeability of the terms episkopos (overseer/bishop) and presbyteros (elder) in the New Testament is crucial for understanding this verse. While later church history developed a hierarchical distinction, in the apostolic church, these terms referred to the same function of spiritual leadership and oversight of a local congregation. This emphasis underscores that the early church prioritized the character and function of its leaders rather than their titles or ranks, promoting a structure rooted in humble service and godly example. The strong "desire" mentioned is not for power but for significant, often demanding, ministerial labor within the community of believers.

1 Timothy 3 1 Commentary

First Timothy 3:1 functions as a pivotal declaration regarding the nature of leadership within the nascent church. By prefacing the statement with "This is a faithful saying," Paul underscores its profound importance and general acceptance as an undisputed truth. It asserts that aspiring to the role of an overseer (episkopos) is a commendable spiritual desire, indeed a noble task (kalon ergon).

The desire for this "office" must stem from a genuine yearning to serve the church, rather than a pursuit of worldly prominence or personal gain. The Greek term oregetai denotes a deep-seated aspiration, an outstretched longing for the work, indicating a calling that arises from a heart submitted to God and burdened for His people. This desire isn't a casual wish but a spiritual impulse to engage in the difficult yet beautiful labor of spiritual oversight, teaching, and protection of the flock.

Furthermore, describing the role as a "good work" clarifies its inherent nature. It is not primarily a title or a status, but an active, diligent, and honorable service. This "good" refers to its intrinsic worth, its beneficial outcome for God's kingdom, and its pleasing aspect in God's sight. The "work" implies effort, responsibility, and commitment. This verse, therefore, sets a high standard: true church leadership is about servanthood and labor, born out of a godly desire, for the spiritual welfare of others. It implicitly guards against those who might seek the position for less noble, self-serving ambitions, laying the groundwork for the demanding character qualifications detailed in the subsequent verses.