What Does 1 Timothy 3:7 Mean in the King James?
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Testimony beyond the circle that already trusts you matters because public reproach can become the Slanderer’s trap.
THE MEANING
Trustworthiness is visible beyond the circle that already knows you. When public reproach becomes accusation, it can entangle the person it targets; the verse names that danger as the Slanderer’s snare.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Belonging to a trusted inner circle is enough to establish credibility. This verse places the testimony of those outside that circle alongside a leader’s trustworthiness.
THE ROOT
διάβολος
diabolos
GROWS FROM
βαλλ- (βάλλω), with διά-
βάλλω means to throw; διά-βάλλω carries the sense of throwing across, then accusing or slandering.
The word translated “devil” names the Slanderer: the one associated with accusation. The verse links that slander to a snare, showing how accusation can become an entanglement rather than a passing insult.
ALSO GROWS
diaballō: to slander or accuse
διαβάλλω
This verb makes the accusatory force in “the Slanderer” visible.
diabolē: slander or accusation
διαβολή
This related noun shows the accusation itself as part of the same word family.
μαρτυρίαν καλήν
martyria kalēn
GROWS FROM
μαρτυρ- (μάρτυς)
A witness who testifies; by extension, testimony or evidence.
“Good report” is testimony from those outside, not simply a person’s own account of their character. The witness-family of this word makes the verse’s emphasis on what others can attest especially clear.
ALSO GROWS
martys: witness
μάρτυς
This is the person who gives testimony, connecting the report to an outside witness.
martyreō: to testify or bear witness
μαρτυρέω
This verb shows the act behind the report: someone bears witness to what they have seen.
martyrion: testimony or evidence
μαρτύριον
This related word brings out the report’s character as evidence, not self-description.
THE PATTERN
Character becomes visible through what people beyond one’s own circle can see and testify to.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.THE THREAD
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.The same phrase, “the snare of the devil,” appears here and in 1 Timothy 3:7. This verse adds that people can recover from that entanglement, so the snare describes captivity rather than an identity that cannot change.
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