1 Timothy 3:5

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

εἰ G1487
εἰ
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 13
if, whether, that, etc
δέ (For G1161
δέ (For
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 13
but, and, etc
τις G5100
τις
Strong's: G5100
Word #: 3 of 13
some or any person or object
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίου his own G2398
ἰδίου his own
Strong's: G2398
Word #: 5 of 13
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
οἴκου house G3624
οἴκου house
Strong's: G3624
Word #: 6 of 13
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
προστῆναι to rule G4291
προστῆναι to rule
Strong's: G4291
Word #: 7 of 13
to stand before, i.e., (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 8 of 13
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
οἶδεν how G1492
οἶδεν how
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 9 of 13
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πῶς how G4459
πῶς how
Strong's: G4459
Word #: 10 of 13
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἐκκλησίας the church G1577
ἐκκλησίας the church
Strong's: G1577
Word #: 11 of 13
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 12 of 13
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐπιμελήσεται shall he take care of G1959
ἐπιμελήσεται shall he take care of
Strong's: G1959
Word #: 13 of 13
to care for (physically or otherwise)

Analysis & Commentary

For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? (εἰ δέ τις τοῦ ἰδίου οἴκου προστῆναι οὐκ οἶδεν, πῶς ἐκκλησίας θεοῦ ἐπιμελήσεται; ei de tis tou idiou oikou prostēnai ouk oiden, pōs ekklēsias theou epimelēsetai?)—'if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?' Proistēmi means to lead, manage, care for. Epimeleō means to take care of, care for—the same word used of the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded man (Luke 10:34-35).

Paul's logic is clear and compelling: household management tests and prepares for church leadership. The skills required are similar—wise leadership, patient teaching, conflict resolution, resource stewardship, long-term vision. If a man fails at home with a few people he loves deeply, how can he succeed in shepherding God's larger family?

This isn't arbitrary requirement but wisdom. Family relationships reveal character under stress—how a man treats wife and children when no one's watching shows his true heart. Public ministry can be performed with skillful hypocrisy, but home life exposes reality. The church needs leaders whose character has been tested and proven in the laboratory of family life.

Historical Context

The household was the basic unit of ancient society and the early church—congregations met in homes, and household conversions were common (Acts 16:15, 31-34). A man's household management was visible evidence of his leadership ability. If he couldn't lead his small domestic 'church,' he wasn't ready for larger responsibility. The parallel between household and church wasn't metaphorical but literal—both are God's family.

Questions for Reflection