Bible Strands
1 Timothy 3:6
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul instructs Timothy on qualifications for church overseers, immediately following the household management requirement in 1 Timothy 3:5.
The words — νεόφυτον (neophuton) literally means a recent planting or novice, and τυφωθεὶς (tuphōtheis) means having been puffed up or made conceited.
The thread — The text warns that a recent convert may become conceited and fall under the devil's condemnation, linking to the conceit and word disputes in 1 Timothy 6:4, the call to clothe oneself with humility in 1 Peter 5:5, the need to reteach basic principles in Hebrews 5:12, and the reputation requirement in 1 Timothy 3:7.
Why it lands — It requires verifying a candidate's spiritual maturity before granting leadership, plainly stating that untested faith produces the pride that leads to the same judgment as the devil.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
- Hebrews 5:12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
- Isaiah 2:12 For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—
- Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 4:6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.