Titus 1:7
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; | As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. | For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul gives the reason an elder must be blameless: he is God's steward, managing God's household. Then he lists five faults that rule a man out. He must not be self-willed, quick-tempered, a drinker, violent, or greedy for dishonest gain. Titus 1:7
SpeakingPaul, who calls himself "a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ." Titus 1:1Titus overview
ToTitus, Paul's "own son after the common faith," whom Paul had left in Crete to set the churches in order. Titus 1:4Titus 1:5Titus overview
Also involvedThe men who might be appointed as bishops, or overseers, in the churches of Crete. Titus 1:5Titus 1:7
The verse moves from the elder's family (1:6) to his own character. The men Titus is to ordain as "elders" (1:5) are, in the same sentence, called "a bishop" here (1:7). Peter likewise tells elders to take "the oversight" of the flock (1 Peter 5:2). Titus 1:5Titus 1:6Titus 1:71 Peter 5:2
Titus was in Crete, a large Mediterranean island with churches "in every city." The letter does not say where Paul was, but he planned to winter at Nicopolis. Titus overviewTitus 1:5
The eventsThese rules were for the elders Titus would appoint in Crete. The verse gives no date. Titus 1:5
WrittenTraditional: about AD 63-65, after Paul's release from his first Roman imprisonment. Scholarly: many hold that a follower wrote the letter in Paul's name about AD 80-100; others accept that Paul wrote it. Titus overview
HereThe false teachers in Crete taught "for filthy lucre's sake" (1:11). Paul makes sure the leaders Titus appoints are the opposite. Titus 1:7Titus 1:11
In the whole of ScriptureA steward manages what belongs to his master. Jesus asked, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward?" (Luke 12:42), and Peter calls every believer to serve "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). Peter also warns elders not to lead "for filthy lucre" (1 Peter 5:2). Luke 12:421 Peter 4:101 Peter 5:2
For readersChurch leaders do not own the church; they manage it for God. Pride, anger, drink, violence and greed all disqualify a man from that trust. Titus 1:71 Peter 5:2
- bishopἐπίσκοπος
The word means an overseer, one who watches over. Here it names the same leader called an elder in 1:5. Strong's G1985Titus 1:5
- stewardοἰκονόμος
The word means the manager of a household or estate. An elder manages God's household for him. Strong's G3623Luke 12:42
- selfwilledαὐθάδης
The word means self-pleasing or arrogant. 2 Peter 2:10 uses it of those who "walk after the flesh" and "despise government." Strong's G08292 Peter 2:10
- soon angryὀργίλος
The word means inclined to anger. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Proverbs 14:17 says "he that is soon angry dealeth foolishly." Strong's G3711Proverbs 14:17
- not given to filthy lucreαἰσχροκερδής
The word means greedy of base gains. It is the fault of the false teachers in 1:11. Strong's G0146Titus 1:11
Takeaway
An overseer is God's steward, so he must be free from self-will, anger, drunkenness, violence and greed. Those who lead God's household answer to God. Titus 1:7Luke 12:421 Peter 5:2
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It behooves | δεῖ | dei | G1163 | be necessaryδεῖ (dei) δεῖ impersonal (δέω), [in LXX chiefly for infin. with לְ ;] one must, it is necessary: with inf., Mat.26:54, Mrk.13:7, Act.5:29, al.; with accusative and inf., Mat.16:21, Mrk.8:31, Jhn.3:7, Act.25:10, al.; with ellipse of accusative, Mat.23:23; of accusative, and inf., Mrk.13:14, Rom.1:27 8:26; οὐ (μὴ) δεῖ (non licet), ought not, must not: Act.25:24, 2Ti.2:24; impf., ἔδει, of necessity or obligation in past time regarding a past event (Bl., § 63, 4), Mat.18:33, Luk.15:32, Jhn.4:4, Act.27:21, al.; periphr., δέον ἐστίν (as in Attic, χρεών ἐστι = χρή, see: δέον), Act.19:36; id., with ellipse of … |
| for | γὰρ | gar | G1063 | forγάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. … |
| overseer | ἐπίσκοπον | episkopon | G1985 | overseerἐπίσκοπος (episkopos) ἐπί-σκοπος, -ου, ὁ (σκοπός, a watcher), [in LXX for פָּקַד, its parts and derivatives, Num.4:16 31:14, Jdg.9:28, 4Ki.11:15 11:18, 2Ch.34:12 34:17, Neh.11:9, 14 11:22; אֵל, Job.20:29; נָגַשׂ:, Isa.60:17; Wis.1:6, 1Ma.1:51 * ;] a superintendent, guardian, overseer (cl.; for exx. see LS, see word): Act.20:28, 1Pe.2:25 (ICC, in l); as technical term for a religious office (Deiss., BS, 230 f.), in later Paul. epp. of the head of a church (Vg. episcopus), a bishop: Php.1:1, 1Ti.3:2, Tit.1:7 (see reff. see word ἐπισκοπή).† (AS) |
| blameless | ἀνέγκλητον | anegklēton | G0410 | irreproachableἀνέγκλητος (anegklētos) ἀν-έγκλητος, -ον (ἀ-, ἐγκαλέω), [in LXX: 3Ma.5:31 * ;] not to be called to account, unreprovable: 1Co.1:8, Col.1:22, 1Ti.3:10, Tit.1:6-7.† SYN.: ἄμεμπτος, ἀνεπίλημπτος (see Tr., Syn., § ciii; Cremer, 742; MM, VGT, see word) (AS) |
| to be | εἶναι | einai | G1511 | to existεἶναι (einai) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. … |
| as | ὡς | hōs | G5613 | as/whenὡς (hōs) ὡς, adverbial form of the relative pron. ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. I. As relat. adv. of manner, as, like as, just as, even as; 1. with a demonstrative, like οὕτως, expressed or understood: οὕτως . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, 1Co.3:15, Eph.5:28, Jas.2:12, al.; ὡς . . . οὕτως, Act.8:32, 1Co.7:17, al.; elliptically (sc. οὕτως, οὕτω), with nom., Mat.6:29, al.; with accusative, Mat.19:19, Mrk.12:31, al.; with prep., Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:52, Jhn.7:10, al.; with verb., Jhn.15:6, 2Co.3:1, Eph.2:3, 1Th.5:6, al.; with ptcp. (the ptcp. however not having the special force wh. it has in cl.; see Bl., §73, 5; 74, 6), Mat. … |
| God’s | θεοῦ | theou | G2316 | Godθεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; … |
| steward, | οἰκονόμον, | oikonomon | G3623 | managerοἰκονόμος (oikonomos) οἰκονόμος, -ου, ὁ (οἶκος + νέμω, to manage) [in LXX chiefly for עַל ;] 1. prop., the manager of a household or estate, a house- or land-steward (usually a slave or freedman): Luk.12:42 16:1, 3 16:8, 1Co.4:2, Gal.4:2; ὀ οἰ. τ. πόλεως (RV, treasurer; cf. I Est.4:49), Rom.16:23. 2. Metaphorical (in wider sense; cf. οἰκονομία), an administrator, a steward: of Christian ministers, 1Co.4:1, Tit.1:7; of Christians generally, 1Pe.4:10.† (AS) |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| self-willed, | αὐθάδη, | authadē | G0829 | self-willedαὐθάδης (authadēs) αὐθάδης, -ες (αὐτος, ἥδομαι), [in LXX: Gen.49:3, 7 (עַז), Pro.21:24 (יָהִיר)* ;] self-pleasing, arrogant: Tit.1:7, 2Pe.2:10 (Cremer, 654).† SYN.: φίλαυτος (see Tr., Syn., § xciii) (AS) |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| quick tempered, | ὀργίλον, | orgilon | G3711 | quick-temperedὀργίλος (orgilos) ὀργίλος, -η, -ον (ὀργή), [in LXX: Pro.22:24 29:22 (חֵמָה), etc. ;] inclined to anger, passionate: Tit.1:7.† (AS) |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| given to wine, | πάροινον, | paroinon | G3943 | drunkenπάροινος (paroinos) πάρ-οινος, -ον = cl., παροινικός (παρά, οἶνος), given to wine, drunken: 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7.† (AS) |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| a striker, | πλήκτην, | plēktēn | G4131 | bullyπλήκτης (plēktēs) πλήκτης, -ου, ὁ (πλήσσω), [in Sm.: Psa.35:15 * ;] a striker, brawler: 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7 (Arist., Plut., al.).† (AS) |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| greedy of base gain, | αἰσχροκερδῆ, | aischrokerdē | G0146 | greedyαἰσχροκερδής (aischrokerdēs) αἰσχροκερδής, -ες (αἰσχρός, κέρδος), greedy of base gains: 1Ti.3:3,8 Abbot-Smith omits 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7.† (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.