"(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" — 1 Timothy 3:5

1 Timothy 3:5 · KJV

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

— 1 Timothy 3:5

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. {a novice: or, one newly come to the faith}

1 Timothy 3 — Context

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; {given...: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine}

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

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

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. {a novice: or, one newly come to the faith}

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Cross References

1 Samuel 3:13

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. {For I...: or, And I will tell him} {vile: or, accursed} {restrained...: Heb. frowned not upon them}

Ephesians 5:24

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so {let} the wives {be} to their own husbands in every thing.

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Ephesians 5:32

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 1:22

And hath put all {things} under his feet, and gave him {to be} the head over all {things} to the church,

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. {ground: or, stay}

1 Samuel 2:29-30

Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded {in my} habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: {Gentiles: Gr. Greeks}