📖 1 Timothy — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Timothy 3:1 This Ris a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Timothy 3:2 A Rbishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Timothy 3:3 RNot given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:4 One that Rruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1 Timothy 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of Rthe church of God?)
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a Rnovice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have Ra good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must Rthe deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
1 Timothy 3:9 RHolding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:10 And Rlet these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must Rtheir wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1 Timothy 3:13 For Rthey that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:14 These things write I unto thee, Rhoping to come unto thee shortly:
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest Rknow how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:16 And Rwithout controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Timothy 3:1–7 — Qualifications for overseers
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul describes the character and household faithfulness of a bishop, rejecting greed, violence, pride, and a poor outside reputation.
Key Truth: Treat leadership as a responsibility of proven character.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “This is a ____ saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, …” (1 Timothy 3:1)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “One that ruleth well his own house, having his ____ in subjection with all gravity;” (1 Timothy 3:4)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ he must have a good report of them which are …” (1 Timothy 3:7)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Timothy 3:8–13 — Qualifications for deacons
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Deacons and their households are called to seriousness, honesty, faithful conscience, and tested service rather than hidden duplicity.
Key Truth: Let trusted service rest on integrity.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to …” (1 Timothy 3:8)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, ____ in all things.” (1 Timothy 3:11)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For they that have ____ the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a …” (1 Timothy 3:13)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Timothy 3:14–16 — Conduct in God's household
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul explains the purpose of his instructions for God's house and confesses the mystery of godliness centered in Christ.
Key Truth: Honor God's household through truthful conduct.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee …” (1 Timothy 3:14)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:14 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… of the living God, the pillar and ground of the ____ .” (1 Timothy 3:15)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the ____ , seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …” (1 Timothy 3:16)
Find it in 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Titus 1:7 — Paul gives related qualifications for an overseer in Titus.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which character quality matters more than visible ability in service?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 1 Timothy 3:1–7 (Qualifications for overseers) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 1 Timothy 3:8–13 (Qualifications for deacons) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 1 Timothy 3:14–16 (Conduct in God's household) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How does Paul describe the desire for the office of a bishop?
5. What identity does Paul give to the house of God in this instruction?
Notes
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