31 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! 2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, 3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. 4 He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. 5 For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church? 6 He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. 7 Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.
8 The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it. 9 They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things. 10 Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:1-10
Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:1-7
(Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7)
If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as can be, lest he bring reproach upon his office. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together in Scripture, they assist one the other. The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils. He must be of good repute among his neighbours, and under no reproach from his former life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Matthew 28:20. And he will fit his ministers for their work, and carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:8-13
(Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13)
The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers, must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.