In this chapter our apostle treats of church-officers. He specifies, I. The qualifications of a person to be admitted to the office of a bishop, 1 Tim. 3:1-7. II. The qualifications of deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-10), and of their wives (1 Tim. 3:11), again of the deacons, 1 Tim. 3:12, 13. III. The reasons of his writing to Timothy, whereupon he speaks of the church and the foundation-truth professed therein, 1 Tim. 3:14-16.