1 Timothy 3:3

3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Timothy 3:3 in Other Translations

KJV
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
ESV
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
NLT
3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
MSG
3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.
CSB
3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy-

1 Timothy 3:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:3

Not given to wine
One that does not sit at it, or is continually drinking it, and is intemperate in the use of it; otherwise it is lawful for persons in such an office to drink wine, and sometimes absolutely necessary; see ( 1 Timothy 5:23 ) it signifies one that is not given to much wine, as in ( 1 Timothy 3:8 ) is not addicted to it, or a follower of it; the Syriac version renders it, "who does not transgress over wine", or go beyond due bounds in the use of it, who is not immoderate in it; the Arabic version renders it, "not insolent through wine", as one that is heated with it is fierce and furious, and wrangling and quarrelsome, and often very mischievous and injurious; and this sense is followed by some.

No striker;
either with his hands, so the Syriac version, "whose hand is not swift to strike"; not one who is nimble and ready at it, who no sooner is abused or injured, but he lifts up his hands and strikes; is but a word and a blow: or with his tongue; so the Arabic version, "not wounding with his tongue"; being too sharp and severe in the admonitions and reproofs of weak brethren, or fallen believers; and especially, he ought not to use scurrilous, reproachful, and contumelious language to any; see ( Jeremiah 18:18 ) .

Not greedy of filthy lucre;
not covetous of getting money, of amassing wealth and riches together; or desirous of popular applause and glory from men. This clause is not in the Alexandrian copy, nor in five of Beza's manuscripts and other copies, nor is it in the Vulgate Latin version, nor in any of the Oriental versions; it seems to be transcribed from ( Titus 1:7 ) . And indeed it is unnecessary here; since the same is expressed by the word "covetous", at the end of the verse, and makes that a tautology; and moreover, by leaving out this clause, the opposition appears more manifest, between "no striker" and what follows,

but patient;
one who patiently bears all reproaches and injuries, puts up with affronts, and gives up what is his right and due, rather than contend, quarrel, and strike; who is patient towards all men, and does not bear hard on those that have offended, but is moderate and mild, and gentle in his censures, reproofs, and admonitions:

not a brawler;
not a quarrelsome litigious person, given to fighting, either with the fist or sword, or any other weapon:

not covetous;
or a lover of money in an immoderate way, greedy of worldly substance and riches, and insatiable in his desires after them; niggardly, sordid, and illiberal; acting a mercenary part; seeking his own things, and not the things of Christ; his gain from his quarter, and not the good of souls; and withholding from himself, from his family, and the poor, what ought to be enjoyed by them. Whereas, on the other hand, he ought to be generous and liberal, hospitable and charitable, and ready to communicate on all occasions, according to his abilities.

1 Timothy 3:3 In-Context

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

Cross References 3

  • 1. Titus 1:7
  • 2. 2 Timothy 2:24
  • 3. Luke 16:14; 1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:2
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