He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all 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;
- 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
- 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 anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.
- Gen 18:19For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”
- 1 Tim 3:12Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- Titus 2:2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:
- Acts 10:2a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
- Josh 24:15If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
- Titus 2:7in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
- Ps 101:2–8I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about 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.