


1 Timothy 3:14
Bible Versions
¶ These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
I hope to visit you soon; but I am writing these things
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly;
-
Philemon 1:22
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. -
1 Corinthians 11:34
And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. -
1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. -
2 Corinthians 1:15
¶ And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; -
2 Corinthians 1:17
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? -
3 John 1:14
But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. -
1 Thessalonians 2:18
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
1 Timothy 3:14 (KJV) serves as a brief but significant transitional statement within Paul's first letter to Timothy, revealing the apostle's immediate purpose for writing and his future intentions.
Context
This verse immediately follows Paul's detailed instructions concerning the qualifications and conduct required for church leaders, specifically bishops (or overseers) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Timothy was a young leader left by Paul in Ephesus to address various challenges, including false teaching and the need for proper church order. Paul's letter is a pastoral guide, providing practical wisdom for organizing and leading the early church. The phrase "These things" directly refers to all the preceding directives, emphasizing their importance and the urgency of their implementation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The word "shortly" comes from the Greek tacheōs (ταχέως), which means "quickly" or "speedily." This isn't just a vague hope for a future visit, but an intention for a swift arrival, emphasizing the pressing nature of the issues Timothy was facing in Ephesus and Paul's desire to lend personal support and guidance as soon as possible.
Practical Application
For believers today, 1 Timothy 3:14 reminds us of several important principles: