Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
All Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:6 Go To 1 Timothy 3
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
What does Paul mean by saying “or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil”? It doesn’t mean he is to be judged by the devil but that he is to be condemned with the devil. The devil, after all, won’t be our judge. He himself fell through pride. Like him, one who has become godless on account of pride will be condemned to everlasting fire. We are to consider carefully, Paul is saying, to whom a position of eminence is given in the church, lest the person being lifted up should through pride fall into the very judgment into which the devil fell. ..
