(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Parallel translations
- WEB (but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)
- BSB For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
- NKJV (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
- NASB (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
- NLT For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
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
If a man cannot manage his own home, he cannot care for God's church. It draws a direct line from household to church leadership.
Overview
Paul reasons that ability to lead a family is a test for caring for 'the assembly of God.' The church is pictured as God's household needing godly oversight. Domestic faithfulness is no minor matter but evidence of pastoral fitness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Sam 3:13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
- Eph 5:24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
- Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- Eph 5:32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
- 1 Tim 3:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- Eph 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
- 1 Sam 2:29–30Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
- 1 Cor 10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Original language
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