Web transcription of the official 2026 PDF, with links (Crown & Covenant Publications), or the unchanged file. Where they differ, the PDF governs.Transcribed from the official 2026 PDF, with links (or the unchanged file). Where they differ, the PDF governs.
1 Timothy 3
The 2026 edition cites 8 passages touching 1 Timothy 3, each printed here in the KJV with every place in the Constitution that cites it.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Testimony of the RPCNA 1
- T 25.7
Christ has appointed in His Word a particular form of government for the visible church. It is government by elders (Greek: presbyters) and is therefore called…
1 Timothy 3:2
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Cited by 4 places in the Constitution
Testimony of the RPCNA 3
- T 25.8
The permanent officers to be set apart by ordination are elders and deacons. The office of elder is restricted in Scripture to men. Women as well as men may…
- T 25.9
The responsibility of the elders is in teaching and ruling. Although all elders are to be able to teach, the Scripture recognizes a distinction in these…
- T 25.10
The elders are organized in courts (the session, the presbytery and the Synod) to which is committed the power of governing the church and of ordaining…
Larger Catechism 1
- LC 158
The Word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.
1 Timothy 3:6
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Larger Catechism 1
- LC 158
The Word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.
1 Timothy 3:8-13
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Testimony of the RPCNA 1
- T 25.11
The diaconate is a spiritual office subordinate to the session and is not a teaching or ruling office. The deacons have responsibility for the ministry of…
1 Timothy 3:10
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Larger Catechism 1
- LC 158
The Word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.
1 Timothy 3:15
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Westminster Confession of Faith 1
- CF 1.5
We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the…
1 Timothy 3:15-16
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Testimony of the RPCNA 1
- T 31.5
Subordinate standards, such as the Confession of Faith, Catechisms and the Testimony, serve a necessary and useful purpose as a summary of biblical teaching, a…
1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Cited by 1 place in the Constitution
Westminster Confession of Faith 1
- CF 8.2
The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was…