Vincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 3:1 - 3:1

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Vincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 3:1 - 3:1


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

This is a true saying (πιστὸς ὁ λόγος)

Better, faithful is the saying. See on 1Ti 1:15.

Desire (ὀρέγεται)

Better, seeketh. Only here, 1Ti 6:10, and Heb 11:16. Originally to stretch forth, to reach after. Here it implies not only desiring but seeking after. Desire is expressed by ἐπιθυμεῖ immediately following. The word implies eagerness, but not of an immoderate or unchristian character. Comp. the kindred word ὄρεξις with its terrible meaning in Rom 1:27.

The office of a bishop (ἐπισκοπῆς)

oP. Ἑπίσκοπος superintendent, overseer, by Paul only in Phi 1:1. The fundamental idea of the sword is overseeing. The term ἐπίσκοπος was not furnished by the gospel tradition: it did not come from the Jewish synagogue, and it does not appear in Paul's lists of those whom God has set in the church (1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11). Its adoption came about in a natural way. Just as senatus, γερουσία and πρεσβύτερος passed into official designations through the natural association of authority with age, so ἐπίσκοπος would be, almost inevitably, the designation of a superintendent. This process of natural selection was probably aided by the familiar use of the title In the clubs and guilds to designate functions analogous to those of the ecclesiastical administrator. The title can hardly be traced to the O.T. There are but two passages in lxx where the word has any connection with religious worship, Num 4:16; 2Ki 11:18. It is applied to God (Job 20:29), and in N.T. to Christ (1Pe 2:25). It is used of officers in the army and of overseers of workmen. The prevailing O.T. sense of ἐπισκοπὴ is visitation for punishment, inquisition, or numbering.

He desireth (ἐπιθυμεῖ)

See on 1Pe 1:12.