I Timothy 3:6
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He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
not a novice--one just converted. This proves the Church of Ephesus was established now for some time. The absence of this rule in the Epistle to Titus, accords with the recent planting of the Church at Crete. Greek, "neophyte," literally, "a young plant"; luxuriantly verdant (Rom 6:5; Rom 11:17; Co1 3:6). The young convert has not yet been disciplined and matured by afflictions and temptations. Contrast Act 21:16, "an old disciple." lifted up with pride--Greek, literally, "wrapt in smoke," so that, inflated with self-conceit and exaggerated ideas of his own importance, he cannot see himself or others in the true light (Ti1 6:4; Ti2 3:4). condemnation of the devil--into the same condemnation as Satan fell into (Ti1 3:7; Ti2 2:26). Pride was the cause of Satan's condemnation (Job 38:15; Isa 14:12-15; Joh 12:31; Joh 16:11; Pe2 2:4; Jde 1:6). It cannot mean condemnation or accusation on the part of the devil. The devil may bring a reproach on men (Ti1 3:7), but he cannot bring them into condemnation, for he does not judge, but is judged [BENGEL].
Open source ↗In this chapter our apostle treats of church-officers. He specifies, I. The qualifications of a person to be admitted to the office of a bishop (Ti1 3:1-7). II. The qualifications of deacons (Ti1 3:8-10), and of their wives (Ti1 3:11), again of the deacons (Ti1 3:12, Ti1 3:13). III. The reasons of his writing to Timothy, whereupon he speaks of the church and the foundation-truth professed therein (Ti1 3:14 to the end).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled—
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.