One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
Parallel translations
- WEB one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
- BSB An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
- 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 1:6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
- Gen 18:19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
- 1 Tim 3:12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- Titus 2:2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
- Acts 10:2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
- Josh 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
- Titus 2:7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
- Ps 101:2–8I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, 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.