1 Timothy 3:5

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

1 Timothy 3:5 in Other Translations

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

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

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

5 For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?

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

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

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)

5 Suppose someone doesn't know how to manage his own family. Then 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 given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Corinthians 10:32