1 Timothy 3:4

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;

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.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
KJV
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
WEB
one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
ASV
one that ruleth well his own house, having [his] children in subjection with all gravity;
DARBY
conducting his own house well, having [his] children in subjection with all gravity;
BLB
presiding over [his] own house well, having children in submission, with all dignity—
ÅB
en som styrer sitt eget hus vel og har lydige barn med all sømmelighet
OTB
Han må lede sitt eget hus godt og ha lydige barn med all verdighet
B1930
en som styrer sitt eget hus vel og har lydige barn med all sømmelighet

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Titus 1:6

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

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:19

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 3:12

    Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

    Read in context
  • Titus 2:2

    That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 24:15

    And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Acts 10:2

    A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

    Read in context
  • Titus 2:7

    In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

    Read in context
  • Psalms 101:2–8

    I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

    Read in context