1 Timothy 3:2

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.

Cross References

2 Timothy 2:24

For the Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, capable of teaching, [and] patient [with difficult people and situations].

Romans 12:13

Contribute to the needs of God’s people. Be eager in showing hospitality.

1 Timothy 5:9

[But] do not put a widow on the list [i.e., of people being helped by the church. See Acts 6:1] who is under sixty years old. [And she must] have been the wife of one man,

1 Peter 4:9

Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].

1 Peter 5:8

Be sensible and alert; your enemy the devil is prowling around like a roaring [i.e., hungry] lion looking for someone to [kill and] eat.

Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to show hospitality toward strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without realizing it.

Titus 2:2

Older men should be sober-minded [See note at I Tim. 3:2], dignified [i.e., respectable], sensible, sound in the faith [or, “in their faith”], in their love and in their perseverance.

Philippians 2:15

so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

1 Peter 4:7

But the end of everything [as far as your lives are concerned] is near, so be sensible, and sober [so as to be] prayerful.

Hebrews 3:14

For we have become sharers with Christ, if we hold firmly onto the confidence [we had in Him] from the beginning until the end [of our lives].

1 Timothy 4:3

They forbid people to get married and require them to avoid [eating] certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and [fully] know the truth.

Luke 1:6

They both did what was right in God’s sight [by] living blamelessly according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

Luke 2:36

And there was a woman prophet named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher [i.e., she was a descendant of one of Jacob’s son]. (She was very old, having lived with her husband for [only] seven years after being married,

1 Timothy 3:8

Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

1 Timothy 3:12

Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well.

1 Timothy 5:10

having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.

1 Timothy 5:22

Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone’s sins].