1 Timothy 3:1

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

This is a trustworthy saying: If any man eagerly desires to be an overseer [i.e., an elder], he desires a noble task.

Cross References

Luke 15:10

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels [i.e., in heaven (?)] over one sinful person who repents.”

Acts 1:20

“For it was written [about Judas] in the book of Psalms [69:25]: ‘Let the place where he lives become deserted, with no one living there’ and [Psa. 109:8] ‘Let someone else fill his ministry.’

Acts 20:28

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

Romans 11:13

Now I am talking to you Gentiles, [and] since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I will make the most of my ministry [to you],

Ephesians 4:12

for the purpose of equipping the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] for the work of serving [others], in order to build up the [spiritual] body of Christ [i.e., the church].

Philippians 1:1

[This letter is from] Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, [and is being sent] to all the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] who are at Philippi [Note: This is a town in present-day northeastern Greece, and the first place in Europe where Paul established Christianity], along with the overseers [Note: These men were also called elders, shepherds or pastors] and deacons.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers, to warn those who are idle [Note: The word “idle” originally meant, “insubordinate, or unruly.” See II Thess. 3:6-7, 11], encourage those who are timid, help the [spiritually] weak and be patient with everyone.

1 Timothy 1:15

This saying is trustworthy and deserves to be fully accepted: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them all.

1 Timothy 4:9

This [foregoing] saying is trustworthy and deserves to be fully accepted.

2 Timothy 2:11

This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Christ [i.e., stopped the practice of sin, See Rom. 6:1-11], we will also live with Him [i.e., both here and hereafter].

Titus 1:7

As God’s manager [of the church], an overseer must be free from just blame, not a drunkard, not a fighter [and] not in love with money.

Titus 3:8

This saying is trustworthy and I want you [in your teaching] to affirm these things with confidence, so that those people who have trusted God will be careful to devote themselves to doing good deeds. These things [i.e., just mentioned] are good and profitable for people [to do].

Hebrews 12:15

Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God’s unearned favor, and that no “poisonous plant sprouts up” to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people],

1 Peter 2:25

For you people were wandering away like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 4:15

[However], you should not have to suffer for murdering, stealing, doing evil or interfering in the affairs of others.

1 Peter 5:2

You should serve as shepherds of God’s flock [i.e., the church], among whom you minister, providing careful oversight [of the people], not because you feel forced to, but because you want to, as this is in accordance with the way God wants it to be. Do not [serve as elders] simply out of a desire for the income you receive, but because your heart is in it.