1 Timothy 3:6
What does 1 Timothy 3:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 3:6 means
A bishop must not be a recent convert. Spiritual infancy often brings zeal mixed with vulnerability, especially to pride. Advancement too quickly can inflate the heart, and pride sets a person on the devil’s path—his own downfall was rooted in self‑exaltation. The warning is pastoral, not punitive. Time is a gift; growth in humility, discernment, and tested faith steadies a leader for pressures ahead. By requiring maturity, Paul protects both the man and the church from the spiritual crash that comes when responsibility outruns sanctification.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not a neophyte: lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890not a novice, that he may not, being inflated, fall into [the] fault of the devil.
Context
Building on the household test, Paul adds the maturity test. Verse 6 guards against hasty ordinations that would tempt a novice to arrogant self‑confidence. The consequence—falling into the devil’s condemnation—shows the spiritual stakes. Next, verse 7 will extend the qualifications beyond the church’s walls, insisting on a credible public reputation. The combined effect is a holistic portrait: inner life, home life, and public life must agree.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7
And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.
- Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honorgoethhumility.
- Proverbs 16:18
Pridegoethbefore destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Jude 1:6
And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
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