1Timothy:3

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* This (note :)Having completed the treatise of doctrine and of the manner of handling of it , as well also of public prayer , he now in the third place comes to the persons themselves , speaking first of pastors , and afterwards of deacons . And he uses a preface , so that the church may know that these are certain and sure rules .(:note ) [is ] a true saying , The office of bishop , or the ministry of the word is not an idle dignity , but a work , and that an excellent work : and therefore a bishop must be furnished with many virtues both at home and abroad . Therefore it is necessary before he is chosen to examine well his learning , his gifts , his abilities , and his life . If a man He does not speak here of ambitious seeking , of which there cannot be a worse fault in the Church , but generally of the mind and disposition of man , prepared and disposed to help and edify the Church of God , when and wherever it will please the Lord . desire the office of a bishop , he desireth a good work . * A bishop then must be blameless , the husband of (note :)Therefore he that shuts out married men from the office of bishops , only because they are married , is antichrist .(:note ) one wife , vigilant , sober , of good behaviour , given to hospitality , apt to teach ; * Not (note :)A common drinker and one that will often partake of it .(:note ) given to wine , no striker , not greedy of filthy lucre ; but patient , not a brawler , not covetous ; * One that can rule his owne house honestly , hauing children vnder obedience with all honestie . * For if any cannot rule his owne house , how shall he care for the Church of God ? * Not a novice , lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the (note :)Lest by reason that he is advanced to that position , he takes occasion to be proud , which will undo him , and so he fall into the same condemnation that the devil himself has fallen into .(:note ) condemnation of the devil . * He must also be well reported of , euen of them which are without , lest he fall into rebuke , and the snare of the deuill . * * Holding the (note :)The doctrine of the Gospel , which is indeed a mystery : for flesh and blood do not reveal it .(:note ) mystery of the faith in a pure conscience . * And let them first be proued : then let them minister , if they be found blameles . * * * For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good (note :)Honour and estimation .(:note ) degree , and Bold and assured confidence without fear . great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus . * * But if I tarry long , that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the (note :)The pastor always has to consider how he carries out his duties in the house of the living God , in which the treasure of the truth is kept .(:note ) house of God , which is the church of the living God , the That is , with regard to man : for the Church rested upon that cornerstone , Christ , and is the preserver of the truth , but not the mother . pillar and ground of the truth . *

---