1 Timothy 3:3

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[He must] not be a drunkard or a fighter, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

Cross References

Matthew 21:13

And He said to them, “It is written [Isa. 56:7], ‘My house [i.e., the Temple] will be called a house for prayer’, but [Jer. 7:11 says], ‘You have made it a hideout for thieves.’”

Acts 20:33

[You know that] I had no greedy desire for anyone’s silver, gold or clothing.

Romans 16:18

For such men are not serving our Lord Christ but their own [unspiritual] appetites. They are deceiving the minds of innocent people by their smooth talk and flattering words.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk on wine, which results in ruined lives, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.

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 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.

2 Timothy 3:2

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive talkers, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Titus 1:11

They must be silenced [because] they are upsetting entire families by teaching things they should not be for the shameful purpose of making money.

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 2:3

Older women, likewise, should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good.

Titus 3:2

to slander no one, to be peaceful, to be considerate [or, “gentle”] and to show every courtesy to all people.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money [and be] content with what you have, because God [Himself] has said [Deut. 31:6], “By no means will I [ever] desert you or give up on you.”

James 4:1

Where do conflicts and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your [desire for] pleasures which produce inner conflict?

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.

2 Peter 2:3

And through greedy desires and deceptive words they will exploit you [for evil purposes]. But the judgment that they have had coming for a long time will not delay, but will eventually awaken [i.e., arrive] to bring destruction upon them.

Jude 1:11

It is too bad for these people, for they have followed the example of Cain [the murderer]; for the sake of money they have rushed into the [same] error as Balaam committed [See Num. 25:1-5; 31:16]; they [will] perish [spiritually] for having rebelled [against God] like Korah did. [See Num. 16:1-3, 31-35].

Revelation 1:9

I [am] John, your brother who participates with you in the suffering and kingdom and endurance [which we experience] in [fellowship with] Jesus. I was on the island called Patmos for [preaching] God’s message and for testifying about Jesus. [Note: Patmos was located in the Aegean Sea between present-day Greece and Turkey].