1 Timothy 3

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul lists what a bishop must be, starting with "blameless," and then what deacons must be, who are to "first be proved." He explains why he writes: so Timothy will know how to behave "in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." The chapter ends with a short confession of "the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh." 1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3:8 1 Timothy 3:10 1 Timothy 3:14 1 Timothy 3:15 1 Timothy 3:16

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul writes to Timothy about two kinds of church servants, the bishop and the deacons, and about the deacons' wives, who must be "grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." 1 Timothy 3:1 1 Timothy 3:8 1 Timothy 3:11 1 Timothy 3:14

Where

The instructions are for the church at Ephesus. Paul writes "hoping to come unto thee shortly." 1 Timothy overview 1 Timothy 3:14

When

Traditionally written about AD 62-64. Many critical scholars date the letter later, around AD 80-110. 1 Timothy overview

How it fits

After instructions on prayer and worship in chapter 2, Paul turns to who should lead the church. Chapter 4 follows with a warning that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." 1 Timothy 3:1 1 Timothy 4:1 1 Timothy overview

Key verses

Verse 5
"For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" A leader's home shows whether he is fit to lead. Titus 1:6 sets the same test: "having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." 1 Timothy 3:4 1 Timothy 3:5 Titus 1:6
Verse 15
Paul says why he writes "these things": so Timothy knows how to behave "in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:14 1 Timothy 3:15 1 Timothy overview
Verse 16
"God was manifest in the flesh" and "received up into glory." John says the same: "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." 1 Timothy 3:16 John 1:14

Takeaway

Those who lead the church must first be proved in character, at home and before outsiders, because the church is God's house and holds up the truth about Christ. 1 Timothy 3:4 1 Timothy 3:7 1 Timothy 3:10 1 Timothy 3:15 1 Timothy 3:16

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-28.

What a bishop must be

¹This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. ²A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ³Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; ⁴One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; ⁵(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) ⁶Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

What deacons must be

⁸Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; ⁹Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. ¹¹Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. ¹²Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³For they 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.

Why Paul writes, and the mystery of godliness

¹⁴These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: ¹⁵But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know 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. ¹⁶And without 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.