1 Timothy 3:3

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1 Timothy 3:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

King James Version KJV

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

American Standard Version ASV

no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

Bible in Basic English BBE

Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;

Free Bible Version FBV

He should be someone who doesn't get drunk or become violent, but is gentle, and is not argumentative or greedy for money.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Not giuen to wine, no striker, not giuen to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not couetous,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

World English Bible WEB

not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient; not a brawler, not covetous;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but

Translation for Translators T4T

He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight those who make him angry. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.

Plain English Version PEV

He can’t be a drunken man, or a man that gets into fights. – He has to be a quiet man that is not hard on people. – He can’t be a man that loves money. –

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 3:3

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Timothy 3:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη αλλ επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

παροινον paroinos G3943 drunken Adj-ASM

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

πληκτην plēktēs G4131 bully Noun-ASM

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

αισχροκερδη aischrokerdēs G146 greedy Adj-ASM

αλλ alla G235 but Conj

επιεικη epieikēs G1933 gentle Adj-ASM

αμαχον amachos G269 peacable Adj-ASM

αφιλαργυρον aphilarguros G866 not greedy Adj-ASM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 3:3

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.

παροινον paroinos G3943 "drunken" Adj-ASM

This word describes someone who is often drunk or given to wine, like a heavy drinker. It appears in 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7, warning church leaders against excessive drinking. It means staying near wine, or tippling.

Definition: πάρ-οινος, -ον = cl., παροινικός (παρά, οἶνος), given to wine, drunken: 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: given to wine See also: 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

πληκτην plēktēs G4131 "bully" Noun-ASM

A bully is someone who likes to fight or argue, as seen in 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7. This word describes a person who is quarrelsome. The Bible warns against being a bully.

Definition: πλήκτης, -ου, ὁ (πλήσσω), [in Sm.: Psa.35:15 * ;] a striker, brawler: 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7 (Arist., Plut., al.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: striker See also: 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

αισχροκερδη aischrokerdēs G146 "greedy" Adj-ASM

Being greedy means being motivated by a desire for money or gain, like in 1 Timothy 3:3 where church leaders are warned against being greedy. This word describes someone who is focused on getting rich, often in a way that is considered wrong or unfair.

Definition: αἰσχροκερδής, -ες (αἰσχρός, κέρδος), greedy of base gains: 1Ti.3:3,8 Abbot-Smith omits 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: given to (greedy of) filthy lucre See also: 1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7.

αλλ alla G235 "but" Conj

But is a strong opposing word, used in Matthew 5:15 and John 7:16. It shows contrast or surprise, like in the phrase 'but God' in Romans 3:31.

Definition: ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); __1. opposing a previous negation, but: οὐ (μὴ) . . . ἀ., Mat.5:15, 17 Mrk.5:39, Jhn.7:16, al.; rhetorically subordinating but not entirely negativing what precedes, οὐ . . . ἀ., not so much . . . as, Mrk.9:37, Mat.10:20, Jhn.12:44, al.; with ellipse of the negation, Mat.11:7-9, Act.19:2, 1Co.3:6 6:11 7:7, 2Co.7:1, Gal.2:3, al.; in opposition to a foregoing pos. sentence, ἀ. οὐ, Mat.24:6, 1Co.10:23; οὐ μόνον . . . ἀ. καί, Jhn.5:18, Rom.1:32, al.; elliptically, after a negation, ἀ. ἵνα, Mrk.14:49, Jhn.1:8 9:3, al.; = εἰ μή (Bl., §77, 13; M, Pr., 241; but cf. WM, §iii, 10), Mat.20:23, Mrk.4:22. __2. Without previous negation, to express opposition, interruption, transition, etc., but: Jhn.16:20 12:27, Gal.2:14; before commands or requests, Act.10:20 26:16, Mat.9:18, Mrk.9:22, al.; to introduce an accessory idea, 2Co.7:11; in the apodosis after a condition or concession with εἰ, ἐάν, εἴπερ, yet, still, at least, Mrk.14:29, 1Co.9:2, 2Co.4:16, Col.2:5, al.; after μέν, Act.4:17, Rom.14:20, 1Co.14:17; giving emphasis to the following clause, ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεται ὥρα, yea, etc., Jhn.16:2; so with neg., ἀλλ᾽ οὐδέ, nay, nor yet, Luk.23:15. __3. Joined with other particles (a practice which increases in late writers; Simcox, LNT, 166), ἀ. γε, yet at least, Luk.24:21, 1Co.9:2; ἄ ἤ., save only, except, Luk.12:51, 2Co.1:13; ἀ. μὲν οὖν, Php.3:8 (on this usage, see MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 603 NT verses. KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Peter 1:15.

επιεικη epieikēs G1933 "gentle" Adj-ASM

Being gentle, fair, and moderate, as seen in 1 Timothy 3:3, where elders are instructed to be gentle and moderate in their leadership.

Definition: ἐπιεικής, -ές (εἰκός, likely), [in LXX: Psa.86:5 (סַלָּח), Est.8:13 * ;] __1. seemly, fitting (Hom.). __2. equitable, fair, moderate: 1Ti.3:3, Tit.3:2, 1Pe.2:18, Jas.3:17; τὸ ἐ. (Thuc., i, 76), Php.4:5 (cf. Mayor, Ja, l.with, and see: ἐπιεικία).† ἐπιείκεια see: ἐπιεικία ἐπιεικία (Rec. -είκεια), -ας, ἡ (ἐπιεικής), [in LXX: Wis.2:19 12:18 Bar.2:27, from LXX Bar.4:24, TH (3:42), 2Ma.2:22 2Mac 10:4, 3Ma.3:15 3Mac 7:6 * ;] fairness, moderation, gentleness ("sweet reasonableness," Matthew Arnold): Act.24:4; with πραΰτης, 2Co.10:1.† SYN.: πραΰτης (see Tr., Syn., § xliii) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: gentle, moderation, patient See also: 1 Peter 2:18; James 3:17; Titus 3:2.

αμαχον amachos G269 "peacable" Adj-ASM

This word describes someone who is peaceful and non-confrontational. In 1 Timothy 3, it says a church leader should be peaceful and not contentious.

Definition: ἄμαχος, -ον (μάχη); __1. invincible (frequently in cl.). __2. abstaining from fighting, non-combatant (Xen.). Metaphorical (cf. MM, VGT, see word), not contentious: 1Ti.3:3, Tit.3:2.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: not a brawler See also: 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:2.

αφιλαργυρον aphilarguros G866 "not greedy" Adj-ASM

Not greedy means having no love for money, as seen in 1 Timothy 3:3 and Hebrews 13:5. It involves not being driven by a desire for wealth. This concept is about living without covetousness.

Definition: ἀ-φιλ-άργυρος, -ον without love of money, not avaricious; 1Ti.3:3, Heb.13:5. (For other instances, see MM, see word)† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: without covetousness, not greedy of filthy lucre See also: 1 Timothy 3:3; Hebrews 13:5.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 3:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Timothy 3:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 3:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 3:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3
Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 3:3
Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 3:3
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3
Sermons on 1 Timothy 3:3

Context — Qualifications for Overseers

1This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

4An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. 5For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Titus 1:7	As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
2	Ephesians 5:18	Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
3	Titus 3:2	to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
4	1 Timothy 3:8	Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
5	James 4:1	What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?
6	Isaiah 28:7	These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.
7	Titus 2:3	Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
8	1 Peter 5:2	Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
9	Luke 21:34–36	But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
10	Hebrews 13:5	Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

1 Timothy 3:3 Summary

[This verse is talking about what kind of person should be a leader in the church. They should not be controlled by alcohol, but instead be gentle, peaceful, and not love money more than God. This is because, as seen in Matthew 6:24, we cannot serve both God and money. As leaders, they should be examples of what it means to live a life that honors God, and this starts with being self-controlled and gentle, as seen in Galatians 5:22-23.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'not dependent on wine' in 1 Timothy 3:3?

This phrase means that an overseer should not be controlled by or reliant on alcohol, as seen in Ephesians 5:18, where believers are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not wine.

How can an overseer balance being 'gentle' with being a strong leader?

According to 2 Timothy 2:24-26, a gentle leader can still be firm and strong, yet kind and compassionate, as they guide and teach others in the church, following the example of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28-30.

What is the 'love of money' and why is it a problem for an overseer?

The love of money, as warned against in 1 Timothy 6:10, refers to an excessive desire for wealth and material possessions, which can lead to greed and corruption, and is therefore incompatible with the role of an overseer who should be a servant of God and the church, as seen in Matthew 6:24.

How does being 'peaceable' relate to an overseer's role in the church?

As seen in Romans 12:18, being peaceable means living in harmony with others, which is essential for an overseer who should be a peacemaker and a reconciler, helping to resolve conflicts and maintain unity in the church, following the example of Jesus in Matthew 5:9.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I may be dependent on something other than God, and how can I surrender them to Him?
How can I balance being gentle and compassionate with being a strong and firm leader in my own sphere of influence?
What are some ways that the love of money can subtly creep into my life, and how can I guard against it?
What does it mean for me to be peaceable in my relationships, and how can I cultivate this quality in my interactions with others?

Gill's Exposition on 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 3:3

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; Not given to wine , [ Mee (G3361) Paroinon (G3943) includes, not indulging in the brawling which

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3

Not given to wine; the word signifieth a common tippler, whether he drinks to the loss of his reason or no; a wine-bibber, that makes bibbing at a tavern his trade: no sitter at wine. No striker; no quarreller, that cannot keep his fists off him that provoketh him. Not greedy of filthy lucre; one that abhors all filthy and dishonest gain, any kind of way. But patient; epieikh, a fair, equal man, who will not exact the rigour of what he might; a patient, gentle, courteous man, so far from contention, that he will rather part with what is his right. Not a brawler; amacon, one that will not fight, whether it be with his hand or tongue. Not covetous; one that doth not love silver, that is, not with an immoderate, sinful love, so as to get it any way.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; Ver. 3. Not given to wine] No ale stake, tavern haunter, that sits close at it, till the wine inflame him. No striker] Either with tongue or hand. Such as were Timotheus Herulus, A. D. 467; Pope Julius III, who cast away his keys, and girt on his sword; Bishop Bonner, who usually buffeted the poor martyrs brought before him, pulling off their beards, &c. Cognata vitia sunt vinolentia et violentia, sicut et magna cognatio est, ut rei, sit nominis, divitiis et vitiis. Not greedy of filthy lucre] So as to get by unjust arts and sinful practices, as the pope by allowing the stews in Rome, and elsewhere. See Fiscus Papalis by Crashaw. But patient] επιεικη, Easily parting with his own right for peace’ sake, as Abraham did, as no covetous man will do. No brawler] Or wrangler, quarrelsome, like a cock of the game, that is still bloody with the blood of others and of himself. Not covetous] αφιλαργυρον. Not a lover of silver; and that (Euclio-like) sits abrood upon his heaps of illgotten goods, and will part with nothing.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3

(3) Not given to wine.—Drunkenness is scarcely alluded to here. It is rather a warning against choosing for the sacred office one given to frequenting noisy banquets, where wild and imprudent words are often spoken. No striker.—Probably something more than merely brawling and fighting may here be included. Not only must the pattern minister of the Lord never smite his brother believer, but he must also never wound his soul with cutting, unkind words. Not greedy of filthy lucre.—The Greek word thus translated does not occur in the older MSS. in this place. But patient.—God’s minister must be considerate toward the prejudices of others, forbearing, and gentle. Not a brawler.—Better rendered, not contentious. He must not be easily vexed; but must exercise a steady command over his temper, avoiding all wordy strife. Not covetous.—Literally, not a lover of money. The disinterested minister, who cares nothing for money for money’s sake, would ever stand out in all societies a strangely attractive figure.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3

Verse 3. An eighth article in his character is, he must not be given to wine; μηπαροινον. This word not only signifies one who is inordinately attached to wine, a winebibber or tippler, but also one who is imperious, abusive, insolent, whether through wine or otherwise. Kypke contends for this latter acceptation here. See his proofs and examples. Ninth. - He must be no striker; μηπληκτην, not quarrelsome; not ready to strike a person who may displease him; no persecutor of those who may differ from him; not prone, as one wittily said, "To prove his doctrine orthodox By apostolic blows and knocks." It is said of Bishop Bonner, of infamous memory, that, when examining the poor Protestants whom he termed heretics, when worsted by them in argument he was used to smite them with his fists, and sometimes scourge and whip them. But though he was a most ignorant and consummate savage, yet from such a scripture as this he might have seen the necessity of surrendering his mitre. Tenth. - He must not be greedy of filthy lucre; μηαισχροκερδη, not desirous of base gain; not using base and unjustifiable methods to raise and increase his revenues; not trading or trafficking; for what would be honourable in a secular character, would be base and dishonourable in a bishop. Though such a trait should never appear in the character of a Christian prelate, yet there is much reason to suspect that the words above are not authentic; they are omitted by ADFG, many others, the Syriac, all the Arabic, Coptic, (and Sahidic,) AEthiopic, Armenian, later Syriac, (but it appears in the margin,) the Vulgate and Itala, and by most of the Greek fathers. Griesbach has left it out of the text, in which it does not appear that it ever had a legitimate place. The word covetous, which we have below, expresses all the meaning of this; and it is not likely that the apostle would insert in the same sentence two words of the same meaning, because they were different in sound. It appears to have been borrowed from 1 Timothy 3:8. Eleventh. - He must be patient; επιεικη, meek, gentle; the opposite to πληκτην, a quarrelsome person, which it immediately follows when the spurious word αισχροκερδη is removed. Where meekness and patience do not reign, gravity cannot exist, and the love of God cannot dwell. Twelfth. - He must not be a brawler; αμαχον, not contentious or litigious, but quiet and peaceable. Thirteenth. - He must not be covetous; αφιλαργυρον, not a lover of money; not desiring the office for the sake of its emoluments. He who loves money will stick at nothing in order to get it. Fair and foul methods are to him alike, provided they may be equally productive. For the sake of reputation he may wish to get all honourably; but if that cannot be, he will not scruple to adopt other methods.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 3:3

3. not given to wine] Margin R.V. expresses exactly the usage of the word, ‘not quarrelsome over wine,’ like the term so painfully familiar in our police-courts, ‘drunk and disorderly’: again peculiar to these Epp., here and Titus 1:7. For the simpler word with St Paul, cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11, ‘a drunkard,’ Ephesians 5:18, ‘be not drunken with wine.’no striker] The necessity for specifying this and the preceding qualification, so elementary as they seem to us, shews a state of society in which the plainest, most obvious meaning for ‘husband of one wife’ is the one most likely to have been meant, as argued above.not greedy of filthy lucre] Omit as not having ms. support and having come in from the parallel passage Titus 1:7.patient, not a brawler] R.V. rightly ‘gentle, not contentious,’ ‘patient’ being too weak an attitude of the mind, and ‘brawler’ going beyond the mental attitude; whereas both words express ‘an active attitude of the mind’ in contrast to the acts of quarrelling and striking; ‘gentle,’ i.e. ‘anxious to shew considerateness and forbearance’ according to the now well-known meaning of Php 4:5, ‘forbearance,’ margin R.V. ‘gentleness,’ (cf. 1 Peter 2:18), ‘offering to give up one’s just rights’: not contentious, not aggressive, averse to disputing, nearly as Conybeare renders ‘peaceable’; only here and Titus 3:2.not covetous] Rather, with R.V. no lover of money; the word only occurs here and in Hebrews 13:5, and represents the ‘avaricious’ rather than the ‘covetous,’ which is pleonektês, a frequent word with St Paul in his other epistles; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:10, ‘with the covetous and extortioners.’ See Trench, N. T. Syn. § 24. The qualification interprets in a practical concrete form for daily life the Master s word, ‘He that loveth his life loseth it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.’

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 3:3

Not given to wine - Margin, “Not ready to quarrel and offer wrong, as one in wine.” The Greek word (πάροινος paroinos) occurs in the New Testament only here and in Titus 1:7. It means, properly, “by wine;” i.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3

3. Not given to wine—Avoiding the stimulants that intoxicate, (according to the rule of 1 Timothy 5:23,) unless medical reasons interfere.

Sermons on 1 Timothy 3:3

	Sermon	Description
	2 Peter 2:14 by John Gill	John Gill expounds on 2 Peter 2:14, emphasizing the dangers of lust and the corrupting influence of false teachers who entice unstable souls. He highlights that the eyes can lead t
	Whom Can We Trust? by David Servant	David Servant shares a powerful story of an orphanage director who faced dishonesty and exploitation from large ministries, highlighting the importance of truthfulness and integrit
	Masses by J.H. Newman	J.H. Newman addresses the errors within the Roman Church regarding the sacrifices of Masses, emphasizing the distinction between the sacrifice of Christ's death and the belief that
	Is Alcohol Use Among Christians the New Golden Calf? by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman addresses the delicate balance between freedom and sin, responsibility and carelessness when it comes to alcohol consumption, emphasizing the dangers of over-indulgen
	Chapman , Robert Cleaver Bio by John Bjorlie	John Bjorlie preaches about the remarkable life of Robert Cleaver Chapman, a man known for his wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. Despite being born into wealth and h
	(Titus - Part 7): Qualifications for Church Leadership I by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the church being a separate and distinct entity from the world. He urges the church to not conform to the moral standards
	(Titus - Part 8): Qualifications for Church Leadership Ii by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the three directions that believers should focus on during Communion Sunday: looking backward to the cross, upward to the throne, and onward