- 1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
- 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
- 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
- 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
- 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
- 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
- 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- 8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
- 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
- 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
- 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- 14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
- 15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- 16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
KING JAMES VERSION
1 TIMOTHY 3
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
1 Timothy 3 — Overseers and deacons must be proven, faithful servants who care well for God’s household and hold the mystery of the faith.
About this illustration
Hospitality, household faithfulness, teaching, and service are combined in one gathering. The columns are restrained visual shorthand for the church as pillar and ground of the truth, not a later cathedral.
Scripture basis: 1 Timothy 3:1–16King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchitecture
Late 4th–6th centuries AD
Episcopal See of Egara
Excavation at Terrassa traces a fourth-century Christian nucleus transformed after about AD 450 into a cathedral, baptistery, funerary church, parish church, residence, cemetery, and painted episcopal center.
Acts 2:41–42 · 1 Timothy 3:1–5
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchitecture
4th–6th centuries AD
Early Christian Cathedral Complex at Porec
At Poreč, successive fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-century churches culminated in Bishop Euphrasius’s cathedral ensemble, preserving mosaics, atrium, baptistery, memorial chapel, and episcopal residence.
1 Timothy 3:1–5 · 1 Peter 2:4–5
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
3rd Century
Papyrus P133: 1 Timothy 3:13; 1 Timothy 4:1–8 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P133, P.Oxy. LXXXI 5259, is a third-century Greek codex fragment preserving 1 Timothy 3:13–4:8 and currently the earliest cataloged papyrus witness to the letter.
1 Timothy 3:13 · 1 Timothy 4:1–8
Sermons
Oh They Perish
In “Oh They Perish,” Pastor Dean Odle reflects on Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and argues that Christians should share Christ’s grief for people who are spiritually lost. Moving through Luke 19, Ecclesiastes 8, and the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, he stresses judgment, repentance, and the urgency of proclaiming the gospel. Odle criticizes churches that avoid hell, Christ’s exclusivity, biblical authority, and sound doctrine, while calling every believer—not only pastors—to evangelize boldly. Personal testimony, Daniel’s end-time witness, and Paul’s travail for the Galatians support his appeal for compassionate truth-telling, perseverance, and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Salvation and the GospelChristian LivingDoctrine and DiscernmentChurch and Ministry
View sermon Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Pastor Dean Odle’s “Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ” is a practical call for every believer to speak the gospel clearly and courageously. From Mark 16 and 2 Corinthians 4, he argues that Christians are not commissioned merely to behave well in public or offer vague encouragement. They must proclaim Jesus Christ: who He is, His fulfillment of Scripture, His death for sins, His burial and resurrection, and the necessity of repentance, faith, and surrender to His lordship.
Salvation and the GospelChrist AloneChristian LivingApostasy and Deception
View sermon Battle Ready - Making it to Supper by Pastor Nancy Odle
In “Battle Ready - Making it to Supper by Pastor Nancy Odle,” Pastor Nancy Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about marriage and covenant, family discipleship, biblical love. Drawing especially from Revelation 196, Revelation 19:6-9, Luke 14, 1 John 3:4, the teaching emphasizes that marriage is treated as a covenant requiring faithfulness, sacrifice, truth, and biblical order. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that faithfulness in the home requires instruction, loving correction, protection, and a consistent Christian example.
Doctrine and DiscernmentMarriage and FamilySpiritual Warfare
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons
Music
Come Honestly
A Scripture-rich gospel appeal to come to Jesus without pretense: confessing sin, trusting His crucifixion and resurrection, receiving salvation by grace through faith, and following Him in repentance and new life.