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1 Timothy 3:3

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Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Not {G3361} given to wine {G3943}, no {G3361} striker {G4131}, not {G3361} greedy of filthy lucre {G146}; but {G235} patient {G1933}, not a brawler {G269}, not covetous {G866};

He must not drink excessively or get into fights; rather, he must be kind and gentle. He must not be a lover of money.

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

no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

Commentary

The Apostle Paul's letter to Timothy provides essential guidance for the early church, and 1 Timothy 3:3 is a crucial part of his instructions concerning the character and conduct required of church leaders, specifically overseers (bishops). This verse, following positive attributes listed in 1 Timothy 3:2, outlines negative behaviors to be avoided and contrasting positive virtues to be embraced.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader passage (1 Timothy 3:1-7) that details the qualifications for those who aspire to leadership roles within the Christian community. Paul is instructing Timothy, his protégé and a leader in the Ephesian church, on how to establish and maintain order and integrity among believers. The qualities listed are not merely suggestions but foundational requirements for effective and godly spiritual leadership, emphasizing that a leader's private character is as important as their public ministry. These standards reflect the high calling of those entrusted with the care of God's people.

Key Themes

  • Temperance and Self-Control: The admonition "Not given to wine" and "not a brawler" underscores the necessity of self-discipline and moderation. A leader must be able to control their appetites and impulses, setting an example of sobriety and stability. This theme is also echoed in passages discussing the avoidance of drunkenness.
  • Peacefulness and Gentleness: "No striker" and "not a brawler" highlight the need for a leader to be peace-loving, avoiding physical aggression or contentious disputes. Instead, they should be "patient," demonstrating a gentle and forbearing spirit, capable of handling disagreements with calmness and wisdom. This aligns with the fruit of the Spirit.
  • Financial Integrity and Contentment: "Not greedy of filthy lucre" and "not covetous" address the vital area of financial ethics. Leaders must not be motivated by dishonest gain or an insatiable desire for money. Their service should be driven by genuine care for the flock, not by personal enrichment, which can be a snare, as 1 Timothy 6:10 explains.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Not given to wine" (Greek: paroinos): This term literally means "one who lingers beside wine" or "prone to excessive drinking." It refers to someone who is not addicted to alcohol or prone to drunkenness, which would impair judgment and bring disrepute.
  • "No striker" (Greek: plēktēs): Denotes someone who is prone to physical violence or quarrelsomeness, a "blow-giver." A leader must be peaceable, not quick to resort to physical or even verbal aggression.
  • "Not greedy of filthy lucre" (Greek: aischrokerdēs): This compound word means "shamefully greedy of gain" or "eager for sordid profit." It condemns the pursuit of money through disreputable or unethical means, or simply an excessive love for it.
  • "Patient" (Greek: epieikēs): This is a rich word meaning "gentle," "reasonable," "fair," "forbearing," or "mild." It describes a gracious and considerate disposition, a positive quality contrasted with the negative traits.
  • "Not a brawler" (Greek: amachos): Meaning "not quarrelsome" or "peaceable," this reinforces the idea of avoiding contention and disputes, whether physical or verbal.
  • "Not covetous" (Greek: aphilargyros): Literally "not a lover of money" (from a- "not" + philos "loving" + argyros "silver/money"). This echoes the previous phrase, emphasizing freedom from materialism and greed.

Practical Application

While these qualifications are specifically for church leaders, they represent virtues that all believers should strive to cultivate. The qualities of self-control, patience, peacefulness, and financial integrity are foundational to a godly life and effective witness. This verse challenges us to examine our own character, asking if we are demonstrating the kind of maturity and self-discipline that honors God and serves others. It reminds us that true spiritual influence stems from a transformed heart and consistent, Christ-like conduct, reflecting values that are eternal rather than worldly. Similar qualifications are also laid out for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8 and for elders in Titus 1:7, underscoring their universal importance for those in spiritual authority.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Titus 1:7 (9 votes)

    For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

  • Ephesians 5:18 (5 votes)

    And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

  • Titus 3:2 (5 votes)

    To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

  • 1 Timothy 3:8 (4 votes)

    ¶ Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

  • Isaiah 28:7 (3 votes)

    But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble [in] judgment.

  • James 4:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?

  • Hebrews 13:5 (2 votes)

    [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.