Titus 1 · Verse 7

Titus 1:7

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;
Titus 1:7, King James Version

Titus 1:7 in other translations

BSBAs God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
WEBFor the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;
ASVFor the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
YLTfor it behoveth the overseer to be blameless, as God's steward, not self-pleased, nor irascible, not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre;
DARBYFor the overseer must be free from all charge against him as God's steward; not headstrong, not passionate, not disorderly through wine, not a striker, not seeking gain by base means;
BBEFor it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;
WebsterFor a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

What does Titus 1:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. For ... must--The emphasis is on "must." The reason why I said "blameless," is the very idea of a "bishop" (an overseer of the flock; he here substitutes for "presbyter" the term which expresses his duties) involves the necessity for such blamelessness, if he is to have influence over the flock. steward of God--The greater the master is, the greater the virtues required in His servant [Bengel], (1Ti 3:15); the Church is God's house, over which the minister is set as a steward (He 3:2-6; 1Pe 4:10, 17). Note: ministers are not merely Church officers, but God's stewards; Church government is of divine appointment. not self-willed--literally, "self-pleasing"; unaccommodating to others; harsh, the opposite of "a lover of hospitality" (Tit 1:6); so Nabal (1Sa 25:1-44); self-loving and imperious; such a spirit would incapacitate him for leading a willing flock, instead of driving. not given to wine--(See on 1Ti 3:3; 1Ti 3:8). not given to filthy lucre--not making the Gospel a means of gain (1Ti 3:3, 8). In opposition to those "teaching for filthy lucre's sake" (Tit 1:11; 1Ti 6:5; 1Pe 5:2).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. For a bishop must be blameless. 1Timm 3:2.

As the steward of God. 1Cor 4:1; 1Cor 4:2. A man, in order to perform the duties of such an office, should be one against whom no accusation could lie.

Not self-willed. Comp. 2Pet 2:10. The word-- αυθαδης not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means, properly, self-complacent; and then, assuming, arrogant, imperious, Rob. Lex. The gist of the offence--the very "head and front"--is that of being self-complacent; a trait of character which of necessity, makes a man imperious, dogmatical, impatient of contradiction, and unyielding. Such a man, evidently, is not fit for the office of a minister of the gospel.

Not soon angry. 1Timm 3:2, and the margin there.

Not given to wine. 1Timm 3:3.

No striker. 1Timm 3:3.

Not given to filthy lucre. In 1Timm 3:3, "Not greedy of filthy lucre." The same Greek word is used.

(c) "bishop" 1Timm 3:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 Not self-willed - Μη αυθαδη· Not one who is determined to have his own way in every thing; setting up his own judgment to that of all others; expecting all to pay homage to his understanding. Such a governor in the Church of God can do little good, and may do much mischief. Not soon angry - Μη οργιλον· Not a choleric man; one who is irritable; who is apt to be inflamed on every opposition; one who has not proper command over his own temper.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Titus 1:5-9

The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able…

Read the full comment on Titus 1:5-9 →

Titus 1:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

δεῖdeiIt behoovesG1163
γὰρgarforG1063
τὸνtontheG3588
ἐπίσκοπονepiskoponoverseerG1985
ἀνέγκλητονanegklētonblamelessG410
εἶναιeinaito beG1511
ὡςhōsasG5613
θεοῦtheouGod’sG2316
οἰκονόμον,oikonomonsteward,G3623
μὴmēnotG3361
αὐθάδη,authadēself-willed,G829
μὴmēnotG3361
ὀργίλον,orgilonquick tempered,G3711
μὴmēnotG3361
πάροινον,paroinongiven to wine,G3943
μὴmēnotG3361
πλήκτην,plēktēna striker,G4131
μὴmēnotG3361
αἰσχροκερδῆ,aischrokerdēgreedy of base gain,G146

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Titus 1:7

  • Ephesians 5:18

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

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

  • 1 Peter 5:2

    Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  • Luke 12:42

    And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

  • James 1:19-20

    Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

  • Proverbs 14:17

    He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

  • 2 Timothy 2:24-25

    And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

  • 1 Timothy 3:1-13

    This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; …

  • Ezekiel 44:21

    Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

  • Isaiah 28:7

    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.

  • Isaiah 56:10-12

    His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
a bishop.
5; Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1,2-13
as.
Mt 24:45; Lu 12:42; 1Co 4:1,2; 1Pe 4:10
not selfwilled.
Ge 49:6; 2Pe 2:10
not soon.
Pr 14:17; 15:18; 16:32; Ec 7:9; Jas 1:19,20
not given to wine.
2:3; Le 10:9; Pr 31:4,5; Isa 28:7; 56:12; Eze 44:21; Eph 5:18
1Ti 3:3
no.
2Ti 2:24,25; *Gr:
not given to filthy.
Isa 56:10,11; 1Ti 3:3,8; 1Pe 5:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Titus 1:6

    If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

  • Titus 1:7

    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;

  • Titus 1:8

    But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Read all of Titus 1

Titus 1:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque es menester que el obispo sea sin crimen, como dispensador de Dios; no soberbio, no iracundo, no amador del vino, no heridor, no codicioso de torpes ganancias;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car il faut que le surveillant soit irréprochable comme administrateur de Dieu, non adonné à son sens, non colère, non adonné au vin, non batteur, non avide d’un gain honteux,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn der Aufseher muß untadelig sein als Gottes Verwalter, nicht eigenmächtig, nicht zornmütig, nicht dem Wein ergeben, nicht ein Schläger, nicht schändlichem Gewinn nachgehend,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Oportet enim episcopum sine crimine esse, sicut Dei dispensatorem: non superbum, non iracundum, non vinolentum, non percussorem, non turpis lucri cupidum: