The saying is sure is literally “the word is faithful”; it repeats a formula found in 1.15. This expression stresses that a particular statement is very important and is generally accepted as true by the Christian community (so Good News Translation “This is a true saying”). It is possible to understand this as referring to the previous verse (2.15), especially since the word “save” also appears in 2.15 as it does in 1.15. The United Bible Societies’ (UBS) Greek New Testament is in fact formatted with this understanding, but no modern translation seems to have decided to use that format.
It is more likely, however, that The saying is sure refers to what follows, since 2.15 does not sound very much like a saying. This may also be true with 3.1, but at least it can be quoted as a saying, even though it is not part of a creed or a statement of faith. Accordingly most translations reflect this understanding. It is therefore recommended by this Handbook that translators interpret this phrase as referring to the discourse that follows. Other translation models are “The following saying is sure (or true, or can be trusted),” “The following words are true,” or “It is true that” (Contemporary English Version).
Any one is the Greek word tis, which many translations have translated as “a man” (King James Version [King James Version]) or “any man” (New American Standard Bible [New American Standard Bible]). It is true of course that during that time there were only male bishops. But since the Greek does not specifically use a male pronoun here, it is best to use inclusive language when translating as Revised Standard Version has done; or else “whoever” (New Revised Standard Version) or “any person.”
Aspires (literally “to stretch oneself out,” New King James Version [New King James Version ] “desires”) is here used not in a bad but in a good sense. It is one of many Greek words that is used to describe a strong desire to do something or to accomplish a particular goal, so “greatly desire.” In many languages this can sometimes be translated with the use of figurative language; for example, New International Version “sets his heart.”
The office of bishop translates the Greek term episkopē that is related to the term episkopos (literally “overseer,” so New International Version), the latter term referring to the person, and the former to the position or function. In some instances episkopē is used to describe the responsibility of caring for people and protecting them (see, for example, Acts 1.20). In other instances it is used in a technical sense describing the position or function of an ecclesiastical leader. This second sense is what is intended in this verse. There is no unanimity, however, regarding the meaning of this word or of the kinds of responsibility of the office it defines. Some restrict it to those who are responsible for the management, nurture, and pastoral care of a particular church or congregation, while others understand it as referring to those who exercised supervision over several congregations. A further problem is the relation of the bishop to the “elder” that is mentioned in 1 Tim 5.17 and Titus 1.5. Some understand these two terms as interchangeable, in the light of Titus 1.5, 7 (compare Acts 20.17, 28, where the assembled “elders” are referred to as “overseers,” using the Greek term commonly translated “bishops”), while others view them as separate offices, with the “bishop” or “overseer” ranked higher than the “elder” and vested with the authority of appointing elders and other leaders in the church. It may be that the more restricted and localized view of “overseer” was more widely held in the early church, although in the Pastorals we can see the beginnings of what would develop later as “monarchical episcopacy,” in which the “overseer” or bishop was considered as having supreme authority over the Christian community both in matters of teaching and in the appointment of church leaders. At any rate, we should be careful not to read into the biblical term the modern understanding of the episcopal office that includes the exercise of authority over many pastors in many congregations. The New Testament does not explicitly enumerate the duties and functions of a bishop; however, if the office of bishop and “elder” are taken as identical, then the functions of “elders” can also be taken as functions of bishops. Among these functions are the nurture of the members of the congregation (1 Peter 5.2), visiting and praying for the sick (James 5.14), protecting the members of the congregation from enemies (Acts 20.29-31), and living exemplary lives (1 Peter 5.3).
At any rate, translating the text literally as bishop has its advantages in that it at least recognizes that the office of bishop has some biblical support. But at the same time there are some problems in retaining the word bishop here, primary among which is that it simply is not possible to determine whether there is a match between the office of bishop in the Pastorals and the office of bishop today, especially since there are so many ways of understanding and defining this office today in the various Christian branches. This is perhaps the primary reason why Good News Translation has chosen to translate episkopē as “church leaders.” Translators are urged to find a term in the receptor language that covers the various functions of a bishop or “elder” that were given in the previous paragraph. One must, however, avoid a term that conveys the idea of “command” or “control”; the term should rather give the idea of leadership and responsibility. In some languages this word will be translated by a descriptive phrase; for example, “one who takes care of the needs of the believers” or “one who shows what should be done in the church.”
The office of bishop is described very positively as a noble task (literally “good work”) to which one aspires and which one can legitimately desire. Some commentators note that this is the only place in the whole New Testament where there is a hint of people running for office; there is greater evidence that people were appointed to particular positions (as, for example, Acts 14.23). A noble task may also be expressed as “an honorable (or, respectable) task (or, job).”
An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• What I say now is true: If any person greatly desires (or, sets his heart) to become a church leader (or, one who leads the believers), he desires a truly honorable (or, respectable) task (or, job).
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 .