1 Timothy 3:5
New International Version
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

New Living Translation
For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

English Standard Version
for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Berean Standard Bible
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

Berean Literal Bible
but if one does not know how to manage the own household, how will he care for the church of God?--

King James Bible
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

New King James Version
(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

New American Standard Bible
(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

NASB 1995
(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

NASB 1977
(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?);

Legacy Standard Bible
(but if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

Amplified Bible
(for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?).

Christian Standard Bible
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

Holman Christian Standard Bible
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

American Standard Version
(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Contemporary English Version
If they don't know how to control their own families, how can they look after God's people?

English Revised Version
(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(If a man doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

Good News Translation
For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

International Standard Version
For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?

Majority Standard Bible
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

NET Bible
But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

New Heart English Bible
(but if someone does not know how to manage his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)

Webster's Bible Translation
(For if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Weymouth New Testament


World English Bible
(for how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule his own house take care of God’s assembly?)
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
(and if anyone has not known [how] to lead his own house, how will he take care of an assembly of God?)

Berean Literal Bible
but if one does not know how to manage the own household, how will he care for the church of God?--

Young's Literal Translation
(and if any one his own house how to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)

Smith's Literal Translation
(And if any know not to preside over his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God?

New American Bible
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God?

New Revised Standard Version
for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For if a man does not know how to rule well his own household, how shall he take care of the church of God?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For if he does not know how to lead his own household well, how can he lead the Church of God?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

Godbey New Testament
but if any one does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

Haweis New Testament
for if a man knoweth not how to order his own family, how shall he take proper care of the church of God?

Mace New Testament
for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

Weymouth New Testament


Worrell New Testament
(but, if one knows not how to preside over his own house, how will he take care of an assembly of God?);

Worsley New Testament
(for if any one know not how to govern his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Qualifications for Overseers
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? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.…

Cross References
Titus 1:6-9
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. / As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. / Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ...

1 Timothy 3:4
An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

1 Timothy 3:12
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. ...

Colossians 3:18-21
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. / Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. ...

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”


Treasury of Scripture

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

if.

1 Samuel 2:29,30
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? …

1 Samuel 3:13
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

the church.

1 Timothy 3:15
But 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.

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Ephesians 1:22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

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1 Timothy 3
1. How bishops, deacons, and their wives should be qualified;
14. and to what end Paul wrote to Timothy of these things.
15. Of the church, and the blessed truth therein taught and professed.














For if someone does not know
This phrase introduces a conditional statement, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and capability. The Greek word for "know" here is "oida," which implies not just awareness but a deep understanding and practical wisdom. In the context of leadership, this suggests that a leader must possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills and discernment. This sets a high standard for those aspiring to church leadership, underscoring the necessity of proven competence.

how to manage
The Greek word "proistemi" is used here, which means to stand before, lead, or manage. This term conveys the idea of leadership that is proactive and responsible. In the historical context of the early church, leaders were expected to guide with authority and care, much like a shepherd with his flock. This management is not merely administrative but involves nurturing and guiding with wisdom and love.

his own household
The household, or "oikos" in Greek, was the basic unit of society in the ancient world, encompassing not just the immediate family but also servants and extended family members. The ability to manage one's household was seen as a reflection of one's character and leadership abilities. In a conservative Christian perspective, the family is viewed as a microcosm of the church, and effective leadership in the home is seen as a prerequisite for leadership in the church.

how can he care for
The phrase "care for" translates the Greek word "epimeleomai," which means to take care of or to be concerned about. This implies a deep, personal investment in the well-being of others. In the context of church leadership, it suggests a shepherd-like role, where the leader is deeply involved in the spiritual and practical needs of the congregation. This care is not superficial but requires genuine love and commitment.

the church of God
The "church of God" refers to the assembly of believers, the body of Christ. In the early church, this was a diverse and growing community that required strong, compassionate leadership. The phrase underscores the sacred responsibility of church leaders, as they are entrusted with the care of God's people. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the divine nature of the church and the high calling of those who lead it. The church is not merely a human institution but a spiritual family that requires leaders who are both spiritually mature and practically capable.

(5) For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?--The well-ordered household, the decent, modest behaviour, the reverent, affectionate relations between parents and children, between the master and the dependents--these things are to be the test of a man's fitness for holding high office in the public community of believers, for, as Theodoret observes, if a man cannot rule decorously a small community (such as a family), how shall he be judged a fit person to be entrusted with administration in a broader sphere--with duties which have to do with divine things?

Verse 5. - But for for, A.V., knoweth for know, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[For]
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

someone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

{does} not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

know
οἶδεν (oiden)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

to manage
προστῆναι (prostēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4291: From pro and histemi; to stand before, i.e. to preside, or to practise.

[his]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

own
ἰδίου (idiou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

household,
οἴκου (oikou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family.

[how] can he care for
ἐπιμελήσεται (epimelēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1959: To take care of, attend to. Middle voice from epi and the same as melo; to care for.

[the] church
ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

of God?
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 3:5 But if a man doesn't know how (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 3:4
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