1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
Not
G3361
μὴ
Not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 10
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μὴ
Not
G3361
μὴ
Not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 10
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μὴ
Not
G3361
μὴ
Not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 10
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Cross References
Titus 1:7For 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 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;Titus 3:2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.1 Timothy 3:8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;Isaiah 28:7But 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 4:1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Historical Context
In the Greco-Roman world, symposia (drinking parties) were central to social life, often involving drunkenness and violence. Pagan religious guilds sometimes selected leaders for wealth and social status. Paul insists Christian elders must be counter-cultural—not using position for personal gain, not domineering, but gentle shepherds after Christ's pattern.
Questions for Reflection
- How does our consumer culture's emphasis on comfort and accumulation challenge the 'not covetous' requirement?
- Why does Paul emphasize gentleness and patience rather than forceful leadership style?
- In what subtle ways might ministry position be leveraged for 'shameful gain' today?
Analysis & Commentary
Not given to wine (μὴ πάροινον, mē paroinon)—not a drunkard or 'one who lingers beside wine.' No striker (mē plēktēn)—not violent or quick-tempered, especially when under influence. Not greedy of filthy lucre (mē aischrokerdē)—not pursuing shameful gain through ministry position.
The positive qualities follow: patient (epieikē)—gentle, reasonable, forbearing. Not a brawler (amachon)—peaceable, not quarrelsome. Not covetous (aphilargyron)—literally 'not money-loving,' free from avarice.
These six negations and three affirmations address the elder's relationship to pleasure (wine), power (violence), and possessions (greed). The Ephesian context involved false teachers motivated by profit (6:5), making financial integrity especially crucial.