UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Timothy 3 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

6. Paul gives instructions about qualifications for church leaders (3:1–16)
   • Qualifications for overseers (3:1–7)
   • Qualifications for deacons (3:8–13)
   • The reason for the letter and the mystery of godliness (3:14–16)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 3:16, which is probably a quotation from a Christian confession or hymn.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Overseers and deacons

In this chapter, Paul discusses whom to select to fill the roles of “overseer” and “deacon.” The word “overseer” refers to someone with authority, and Paul indicates that an “overseer” must be able to teach. The word “deacon” refers to someone who serves or assists others. Christians use various different terms for the people who lead and serve in the church. Before you translate this chapter, consider what terms in your language might refer clearly to the roles that Paul describes in this chapter. (See: overseer and deacon)

Qualifications for overseers and deacons

In 3:1–7, Paul provides a list of characteristics that indicate who would be a good overseer, and in 3:8–12 he provides a similar list of characteristics that indicate who would be a good deacon. These lists are meant to be general guidelines, not precise lists of exactly every characteristic that an overseer or deacon must have. For example, Paul indicates that both deacons and overseers must be husbands “of one wife,” but most Christians believe that this does not mean that overseers and deacons must be married. Instead, most Christians believe that this means that, if they are married, they must be husbands “of one wife.” Consider what form you might use in your language to give a general list of qualifications.

Women as overseers and deacons

Christians debate whether Paul intended women to function as overseers and deacons along with men. There are a number of issues related to this question.

1. Paul often uses masculine forms in his list of qualifications, but in his language, masculine forms were often used by writers who wanted to refer to both men and women.
2. More specifically, Paul indicates that both overseers and deacons must be husbands “of one wife.” Some Christians argue that this phrase indicates that overseers and deacons must be men. Other Christians argue that Paul also implied that overseers and deacons, if they are female, must be wives “of one husband.”
3. Paul refers to a specific group of people in 3:11 with a word that could refer more generally to women or more specifically to wives. Some Christians argue that the word means “women” and that Paul was giving specific qualifications for female deacons in this verse. Other Christians argue that the word means “wives” and that Paul was giving specific qualifications for the wives of deacons in this verse.

In the end, some Christians conclude that only men can serve as overseers and deacons. Other Christians conclude that only men can serve as overseers but that both men and women can serve as deacons. Other Christians conclude that both men and women can serve as overseers and deacons. While translators cannot ignore their own views, it is best to preserve the genders that Paul chose to use in these verses, if that is possible. If it would be helpful for your readers, you could include in footnotes some of the information about the issues described above. (See: figs-gendernotations)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

The generic noun “overseer”

In 3:2–7, Paul lists what kind of person “the overseer” must be. As the ULT illustrates, Paul uses singular forms throughout these verses to describe any person who could be an overseer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use plural forms in these verses to indicate that Paul is speaking generally. The UST illustrates one way to do this. (See: figs-genericnoun)

The confession or hymn in 3:16

Most scholars believe that Paul quotes from an early Christian hymn or confession of faith in 3:16. The ULT and UST put quote marks around these words and format them as poetry. Each clause is short and compact, and each clause implies extra information that is not always obvious. If possible, you should preserve this compact and brief form in your translation. If a form-based translation of the clause makes sense in your language, it is recommended that you do not make any implied information explicit.