1 Timothy 3:14

14 These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee more quickly;

1 Timothy 3:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:14

These things write I unto thee
Concerning the offices of bishops and deacons, their several qualifications, and the rules of judging of persons fit for such service:

hoping to come unto thee shortly;
at Ephesus. He could not tell whether he could come or not, and therefore makes no promise, but hoped he should; and since it was uncertain, he thought fit to write the above things for his instruction and use.

1 Timothy 3:14 In-Context

12 Let [the] ministers be husbands of one wife, conducting [their] children and their own houses well:
13 for those who shall have ministered well obtain for themselves a good degree, and much boldness in faith which [is] in Christ Jesus.
14 These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee more quickly;
15 but if I delay, in order that thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God's house, which is [the] assembly of [the] living God, [the] pillar and base of the truth.
16 And confessedly the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in [the] Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among [the] nations, has been believed on in [the] world, has been received up in glory.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. More quickly than the writing of the letter supposed; but in case he delayed he wrote. The verse refers to his fears of being delayed.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.