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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 3:6 - 3:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Novice (νεόφυτον)
N.T.o. From νέος new and φυτόν a plant. Comp. 1Co 3:6, 1Co 3:7; Mat 15:13. Hence, a new convert, a neophyte. Comp. in lxx Job 14:9; Psa 127:3; Psa 143:12; Isa 5:7. Chrysostom explains it as newly catechised (νεοκατήχητος); but a neophyte differed from a catechumen in having received baptism. Better the ancient Greek interpreters, newly baptized (νεοβάπτιστος). After the ceremony of baptism the neophytes wore white garments for eight days, from Easter eve until the Sunday after Easter, which was called Dominica in albis, the Sunday in white. The Egyptian archives of Berlin give νεόφυτος a Fayum papyrus of the second century A. D., of newly-planted palm trees. Comp. lxx, Psa 127:3 : “Thy sons as νεόφυτα ἐλαιῶν plants of olives.”
Being lifted up with pride (τυφωθεὶς)
Only in the Pastorals. See 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 3:4. The verb means primarily to make a smoke: hence, metaphorically, to blind with pride or conceit. Neither A.V. nor Rev. puffed up, preserves the radical sense, which is the sense here intended - a beclouded and stupid state of mind as the result of pride.
Fall into condemnation (εἰς κρίμα ἐμπέσῃ)
Κρίμα in N.T. usually means judgment. The word for condemnation is κατάκριμα. See especially Rom 5:16, where the two are sharply distinguished. Comp. Mat 7:2; Act 24:25; Rom 2:2; Rom 5:18; 1Co 6:7. However, κρίμα occasionally shades off into the meaning condemnation, as Rom 3:8; Jam 3:1. See on go to law, 1Co 6:7, and see on 1Co 11:29. Κρίμα is a Pauline word; but the phrase ἐμπιπτεῖν εἰς κρίμα to fall into judgment is found only here.
Of the devil (τοῦ διαβόλου)
See on Mat 4:1, and see on Satan, 1Th 2:18. Paul uses διάβολος only twice, Eph 4:27; Eph 6:11. Commonly Satan. The use of διάβολος as an adjective is peculiar to the Pastorals (see 1Ti 3:11; 2Ti 3:3; Tit 2:3), and occurs nowhere else in N.T., and not in lxx. The phrase judgment of the devil probably means the accusing judgment of the devil, and not the judgment passed upon the devil. In Rev 12:10 Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. In 1Co 5:5; 1Ti 1:20, men are given over to Satan for judgment. In 1Ti 3:7 the genitive διαβόλου is clearly subjective. In this chapter it appears that a Christian can fall into the reproach of the devil (comp. Jud 1:9; 2Pe 2:11), the snare of the devil (comp. 2Ti 2:26), and the judgment of the devil.