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  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
    • 3 This statement is trustworthy: If a man is reaching out to be an overseer,+ he is desirous of a fine work.

  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
    • 3 πιστὸς Faithful ὁ the λόγος. word.

      Εἴ If τις anyone ἐπισκοπῆς of overseership ὀρέγεται, is reaching out after, καλοῦ fine ἔργου work ἐπιθυμεῖ. he is desiring.

  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
    • 3 That statement is faithful.+

      If any man is reaching out for an office of overseer,*+ he is desirous of a fine work.

  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    The Bible in Living English
    • 3* The saying is a trustworthy one, “If one has an inclination to a visitor’s place, he is desiring a good work.”

  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    American Standard Version
    • 3 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    The Emphasized Bible
    • 3 If anyone for oversight is eager A noble work doth he covet:—

  • 1 Timothy 3:1
    King James Version
    • 3 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

  • 1 Timothy
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1986-2025
    • 3:1 w23.12 28; lff lesson 55; od 32-33, 39-40; it-1 1160; it-2 564; w16.08 21; w14 9/15 3-4; w10 5/15 24; w01 1/1 9-10; w00 7/1 29; w99 8/1 14; w99 12/1 28; sg 191; g92 8/8 12; w90 8/15 19; w90 9/1 18-23; si 236; w89 9/15 16-17; om 30, 39

  • 1 Timothy
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985
    • 3:1 w85 7/1 30; w83 9/1 26; w77 88-89; w77 341; km 12/75 6; w73 469, 475; w73 569; w72 10, 21; or 61; yb72 12, 30-31; w71 691, 695, 698; qm 230, 249; w66 606; g65 3/22 4; w63 419; w62 177, 283, 383; yb62 57; w61 467, 639; w60 75; w59 362; w57 23, 122, 153, 376; qm55 230, 249; w44 312, 327

  • 1 Timothy
    Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses—2019 Edition
    • 3:1

      The Watchtower (Study),

      12/2023, p. 28

      Enjoy Life Forever!, lesson 55

      Organized, pp. 32-33, 39-40

      Insight, Volume 1, p. 1160

      Insight, Volume 2, p. 564

      The Watchtower (Study),

      8/2016, p. 21

      The Watchtower,

      9/15/2014, pp. 3-4

      5/15/2010, p. 24

      1/1/2001, pp. 9-10

      7/1/2000, p. 29

      12/1/1999, p. 28

      8/1/1999, p. 14

      9/1/1990, pp. 18-23

      8/15/1990, p. 19

      9/15/1989, pp. 16-17

      School Guidebook, pp. 190-191

      Awake!,

      8/8/1992, p. 12

      “All Scripture,” pp. 236-237

  • 1 Timothy Study Notes—Chapter 3
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
    • 3:1

      This statement is trustworthy: While some hold that the Greek phrase here used refers to what Paul mentioned earlier (1Ti 2:15), the expression “this statement” better describes what follows. Apparently, Paul is indicating that what he is going to say about reaching out to be an overseer is particularly important and worthy of attention.

      is reaching out: The Greek verb used here literally means “is stretching out”; it suggests that a man has to exert himself vigorously to qualify as an overseer. In the following verses, Paul lists qualities that imperfect men can develop if they put forth earnest effort. (1Ti 3:2-10, 12, 13) Of course, not only appointed men but all Christians need these qualities.​—Compare Ro 12:3, 18; Php 4:5; 1Ti 3:11; Tit 2:3-5; Heb 13:5; 1Pe 2:12; 4:9.

      to be an overseer: It is the responsibility of an overseer to watch over and protect fellow believers entrusted to his care. (See Glossary, “Overseer.”) So he should be a spiritually mature man, displaying the qualities Paul lists in the following verses. Although the Greek word Paul uses can be rendered “office of oversight” (Ac 1:20), it does not imply that an overseer has a position that elevates him above his brothers and sisters. Paul said to the Christians in Corinth: “Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy.”​—2Co 1:24 and study note; 1Pe 5:1-3.

      a fine work: The work of an overseer is described as fine, that is, excellent or useful, but it is still work. One reference states: “The adjective [ka·losʹ, “fine”] expresses the excellence, the noun [erʹgon, “work”] the difficulty of the work.” So an overseer must be selfless, willing to make sacrifices and to work hard for the good of others.

English Publications (1950-2025)
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