Key Verse Spotlight
1 Timothy 3:4 — Meaning and Application
King James Version
“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;”
1 Timothy 3:4
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; {of good...: or, modest}
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; {given...: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine}
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. {a novice: or, one newly come to the faith}
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