Now translates a Greek word that can be literally rendered “therefore.” This may be taken as simply relating this verse to the previous one and therefore can be left out in the translation. Or it can be understood as emphasizing the importance of the position and the need for high qualifications (compare Contemporary English Version “That’s why”).

Since the office of bishop is such an important one, the qualifications for such an office should be defined very carefully, and this is done in these next six verses. The first trait mentioned is that the bishop should be above reproach. This does not mean that he should be sinless, but that his conduct and actions should be seen by the congregation as blameless (Good News Translation “without fault”). It is possible to take this term either as the first of twelve virtues or as a general summary of the eleven qualities that a bishop should have. If it is the first of twelve virtues, one may restructure as “a church leader must have these virtues: he must have no faults….” If, however, this is a general summary of the eleven qualities, one may translate, for example, “he should have no faults; for example, he must have only…” or “he should have no faults. This means that he must have only….” Either of these is possible, and it is difficult to choose which one is more valid. But since this virtue is quite generic in contrast to the others, which are quite specific, the second option seems more appropriate.

Next, the bishop must be the husband of one wife. This looks as if it does not need further explanation, but the statement is more complicated than it seems. Does it mean, for example, that bishops should be married, and that unmarried men are disqualified? Or is this a statement against polygamy, so that a man with more than one wife cannot become a bishop? Or again, does this prohibit second marriages, so that a man who desires to be a bishop should not get married again, even though he is divorced or even if his first wife dies? (See for example, the note in Good News Translation.) Or, finally, does this put stress on faithfulness to one’s wife? (See, for example, New English Bible “faithful to his one wife.”) This last interpretation assumes that the person is married, but it does not rule out polygamy, divorce, and remarriage, and does not necessarily prohibit a widower from marrying again. All four options are possible, although the last option may have some advantages, since unfaithfulness in the marriage relationship was a common occurrence in the world of the New Testament. If translators follow this final option “faithful to his one wife,” then they should put the other main option “have only one wife” in a footnote.

The next five virtues are each represented by one Greek word. The first three are closely related and describe an orderly life. Temperate (Good News Translation “sober”) translates a word that generally means abstaining from wine or strong drink. While it can have that sense here, it is more likely that it is used here in a metaphorical sense to describe conduct that is free from any form of excess, particularly in moral and spiritual matters. Other ways to say this are “doesn’t do anything to excess” or “not immoderate (or, intemperate) in anything he does.” Sensible and dignified appear together in non-Christian writings to describe ideal behavior. Sensible (Good News Translation “self-controlled”) describes a mind that is earnest and sound. This is expressed in various ways in other languages; for example, “know how to control one’s actions and feelings,” “the ability to say no to one’s own desires.” Dignified, on the other hand, translates the same word used in 2.9 (there translated “seemly,” where it is used to describe the way women dress). Here the focus is on human behavior and puts emphasis on being well-ordered and free from confusion, hence “orderly” (Good News Translation), “well-behaved” (Contemporary English Version).

The fourth virtue in this series of single words is hospitable (literally “friend of strangers”). The early Christians were admonished to practice this virtue. This was understandable, considering the small number of Christians in a community, coupled with the need to provide accommodation for Christian travelers, especially traveling missionaries. Other ways of expressing hospitable are “ready to welcome as guests those who are traveling” or “welcome Christians into their homes who are strangers” (see also A Handbook on The First Letter from Peter, page 140, for a further discussion on “hospitality”).

The fifth virtue is the ability to teach (an apt teacher), accenting the function of a bishop as one who is able both to teach true doctrine and to refute false teachings. This term is used again in 2 Tim 2.24. Another way of saying this is “able to teach the believers well.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .