Not {c} given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

(c) A common drinker and one that will often partake of it.

People's New Testament

3:3 Not given to wine. Not a drunken brawler is the idea of the Greek. We must always bear in mind that the church had been formed of Gentiles whose morals had been at a very low standard.

King James Translators' Notes

given...: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. Not given to wine-The Greek includes besides this, not indulging in the brawling, violent conduct towards others, which proceeds from being given to wine. The opposite of "patient" or (Greek) "forbearing," reasonable to others (see on [2469]Php 4:5).

no striker-with either hand or tongue: not as some teachers pretending a holy zeal (2Co 11:20), answering to "not a brawler" or fighter (compare 1Ki 22:24; Ne 13:25; Isa 58:4; Ac 23:2; 2Ti 2:24, 25).

not covetous-Greek, "not a lover of money," whether he have much or little (Tit 1:7).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:1-7 If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as can be, lest he bring reproach upon his office. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together in Scripture, they assist one the other. The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils. He must be of good repute among his neighbours, and under no reproach from his former life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Mt 28:20. And he will fit his ministers for their work, and carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.