1 Timothy 3:7

7 Furthermore, he must be well regarded by outsiders, so that he won't fall into disgrace and into the Adversary's trap.

1 Timothy 3:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:7

Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are
without,
&c,] That is, "without the church", as the Arabic version reads; for wicked men, though they dislike the principles and profession of godly ministers, and despise their office, yet cannot but speak well of their becoming life and conversation. And this part of their character is necessary to invite persons to hear them, and to recommend their ministry to them, as well as for the reasons that follow:

lest he fall into reproach;
into the reproach of men; not only of the world, but of professors of religion; who may be apt to upbraid him with his past sins; especially such that may fall under his censures, admonitions, and reproofs, which hereby will become in a great measure useless and ineffectual:

and the snare of the devil;
lest Satan should take encouragement from hence to tempt him to other and greater sins; or lest finding himself slighted and despised by the people of God, because of his former sins, he should break out into anger and revenge against them; or into despondency and despair in himself; or should be negligent of his duty, and timorous of exhorting and reproving others, lest they should retort upon him, and reproach him with his former crimes. The Jews have a regard to the wisdom, prudence, gravity, and manners, of a man they appoint as a minister of a congregation. Their rule is this ^F26:

``they do not appoint a messenger or minister of a congregation, but he who is the greatest in the congregation for wisdom and works; and if he is an elderly man, it is the better; and they take care that the messenger or minister of the congregation be a man whose voice is pleasant, and he is used to read: but he whose beard is not full grown, though he is a very considerable man, he may not be a minister of the congregation, because of the honour of the congregation.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Maimon. Hilchot Tephilla, c. 8. sect. 11.

1 Timothy 3:7 In-Context

5 for if a man can't manage his own household, how will he be able to care for God's Messianic Community?

6 He must not be a new believer, because he might become puffed up with pride and thus fall under the same judgment as did the Adversary.

7 Furthermore, he must be well regarded by outsiders, so that he won't fall into disgrace and into the Adversary's trap.

8 Likewise, the shammashim must be of good character, people whose word can be trusted. They must not give themselves to excessive drinking or be greedy for dishonest gain.

9 They must possess the formerly hidden truth of the faith with a clean conscience.