This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
Parallel translations
- WEB This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work.
- KJV This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
- NKJV This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
- NASB It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
- NLT This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Aspiring to be an overseer is a noble desire for a good work. It affirms the value of church leadership while setting high standards to follow.
Overview
Paul calls it a 'faithful saying' that seeking the overseer's office is a worthy aspiration. The office is described as 'a good work,' emphasizing service over status. This introduces the qualifications that guard the church's leadership.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Titus 1:7As 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.
- Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
- 1 Pet 5:2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
- 1 Pet 2:25For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- 1 Tim 1:15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
- Jas 5:19–20My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- Luke 15:10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
- 2 Tim 2:11This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
- Phil 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
- Heb 12:15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- 1 Tim 4:9This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.
- 1 Tim 3:2–7An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- Titus 3:8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- Acts 1:20“For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his position.’
- Eph 4:12to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
- 1 Pet 4:15Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
- Rom 11:13I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
- Prov 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
- 1 Th 5:14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 3:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.