1 Timothy 3:5

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

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 dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

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

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

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

7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.