What does 1 Timothy 3:7 mean?

This is the last verse regarding the qualifications of overseers, which began in verse 2. The church overseer or elder must be one with a good reputation outside of the church as well as inside it. Again, as with new converts, Paul's concern was that a church not appoint a person prone to moral or personal failure in such an important role. Those with a good reputation, both within and without the church, are those more likely to be stable and equipped for leadership.

This idea of the "snare of the devil" is that of an animal trap. Just as animals could be lured to a certain spot, then suddenly caught by an unseen danger, a church leader with a bad reputation in the community could be disgraced. This is something Paul considered a trap for church leaders and likely also for the local church. Such a fall damages the reputation of the local church, as well as the faith they represent.

Contrary to some claims, Paul never commands either a single overseer per church or a plurality of elders. He seems to assume congregations would choose more than one as needed, based on the given qualifications. In a smaller house church, one elder may have been sufficient, while other congregations may have had several qualified leaders. Further, no distinction was originally made between bishop, overseer, or elder. Later, the church would create the role of bishop as being over multiple local churches and their elders, but this did not yet exist when Paul wrote this letter.