An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
Parallel translations
- WEB one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
- KJV One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
- NKJV one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
- NASB He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
- NLT He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
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
He must manage his own household well, with his children respectful. It shows that faithfulness at home qualifies one to lead in the church.
Overview
Paul requires that an overseer govern his family with dignity and gain his children's respect. The home becomes a proving ground for spiritual leadership. Faithfulness in the small sphere demonstrates readiness for the larger one.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Titus 1:6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
- Gen 18:19For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- 1 Tim 3:12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
- Titus 2:2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.
- Acts 10:2He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.
- Josh 24:15But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
- Titus 2:7In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- Ps 101:2–8I will ponder the way that is blameless—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 3:4 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.