1 Timothy 3:5

5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?

1 Timothy 3:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:5

For if a man know not how to rule his own house
Which is an affair of less importance, and more easy to be done; not requiring so much resolution, prudence, care, and thought:

how shall he take care of the church of God?
preside over it, rule in it, provide for it, and see that everything is in its proper place, and done according to the will of God. The argument is from the lesser to the greater.

1 Timothy 3:5 In-Context

3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way—
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.