John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. One that ruleth well his own house , etc.] His family, wife, children, and servants; and is not to be understood of his body, and of keeping of that under, and of preserving it chaste and temperate, as appears from what follows: having his children in subjection with all gravity ; keeping a good decorum in his family; obliging his children to observe his orders, and especially the rules of God's word; and not as Eli, who did not use his authority, or lay his commands upon his sons, nor restrain them from evil, or severely reprove them for their sins, but neglected them, and was too mild and gentle with them; 1 Samuel 2:23 3:13 but like Abraham, who not only taught, but commanded his children and his household, to keep the way of the Lord; ( Genesis 18:19) and so should those act who are in such an office as is here treated of; and should not only rule well in their families, preside over them, go before them, and set an example to them, and keep their children in obedience and subjection; but this should be with all gravity: not only in the master of the family, but in the children; who as their father is, or should be, should be brought up in, and used to gravity in words and in dress; and in the whole of their deportment and conversation.
This may he observed against the Papists, who forbid marriage to the ministers of the Gospel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a goo work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as can be, lest he bring reproach upon his office. He must be sober temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together i Scripture, they assist one the other. The families of ministers ough to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils. He must be of goo repute among his neighbours, and under no reproach from his forme life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's graciou word of promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Mt 28:20. And he will fit his ministers for their work, an carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.
Greek Textus Receptus
του 3588 T-GSM ιδιου 2398 A-GSM οικου 3624 N-GSM καλως 2573 ADV προισταμενον 4291 5734 V-PMP-ASM τεκνα 5043 N-APN εχοντα 2192 5723 V-PAP-ASM εν 1722 PREP υποταγη 5292 N-DSF μετα 3326 PREP πασης 3956 A-GSF σεμνοτητος 4587 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. That ruleth (proistamenon). Mostly in the Pastorals, but also in Rom. xii. 8; 1 Thess. v. 12. The participle means placed in front. Here in a general sense, but in 1 Thess. i. 5 of church authorities, but only functionally, not as a title of specially appointed officers. It is characteristic of the loose and unsettled ecclesiastical nomenclature of the apostolic age.Having in subjection (econta en upotagh). The phrase is unique in N.T. Upotagh subjection is a Pauline word: see 2 Cor. ix. 13; Gal. ii. 5. o LXX.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:4 {Ruling} (proistamenon). Present middle participle of proistemi, old word to place before and (intransitive as here) to stand before. See #1Th 5:12; Ro 12:8. {In subjection} (en hupotagei). See verse #11.
