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1Ti 3:6. Μὴ νεόφυτον) not a man recently converted from heathenism. Such persons might be more easily and more safely set over others who have also been newly converted, Act 14:23, than over old and experienced Christians, who were numerous, and among whom the number of candidates was greater. It is a metaphor taken from plants; Joh 15:2, note, [Rom 6:5; Rom 6:11; Rom 6:17-18; 1Co 3:6-7.] The young plants generally exhibit a luxuriant verdure; the newly converted man has not yet been macerated by the cross.[25] The antithesis is an aged disciple, Act 21:16 [Mnason of Cyprus, ἀρχαίῳ μαθητῇ].-ΤΥΦΩΘΕῚς, lifted up with pride) The same word occurs, ch. 1Ti 6:4, note; 2Ti 3:4.-τύφω is ΚΑΊΩ, to burn: τῦφος, a smoking heat without flame: whence they are said ΤΥΦΟῦΣΘΑΙ, whom wine, as well as those whom a high opinion of their knowledge and pride [haughtiness], render no longer masters of themselves, and affect with giddiness [puffed up, having the head turned with conceit]: see Isa 28:7, Lutheran version.-εἰς κρίμα, into condemnation) i.e. into the same condemnation into which the devil fell, being lifted up, at the very beginning of his most blessed (brilliant) state, like a novice; comp. Job 38:15 [the high arm shall be broken], concerning the proud (ὑπερηφάνων, LXX.). “He seems to have been raised and exalted more than the other angels, to the government of many angels, though he was younger than many of them; and this very circumstance became the occasion of pride to him.”-Artem. ad init. Joh. præf., p. 23. The words of Paul do not bear out the whole of this statement. The condemnation here is taken passively; and yet ὀνειδισμὸς, reproach, in the following verse, is active; for condemnation corresponds to the internal condition of the soul: reproach is opposed to “a good report from those that are without;” and the devil may bring a reproach upon men, he cannot bring them into condemnation; for he does not judge, but is judged.
[25] In every kind of life, it may be observed, that those who immediately begin at the highest point of elevation can hardly adopt wise measures for their own advantage, scarcely condescend to inferiors, cannot be affected by the condition of the afflicted, and cannot rule themselves, and maintain moderation in all things; but all these qualities particularly apply to the office of a bishop.-V. g.