1 Timothy 3

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of ^[a]overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

^[b]An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

not addicted to wine ^[c]or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[a] respect.

He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation ^[d]incurred by the devil.

He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

In the same way, deacons^[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not ^[e]double-tongued, ^[f]or addicted to much wine ^[g]or fond of sordid gain,

They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

In the same way, the women^[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

^[h]Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and ^[i]good managers of their children and their own households.

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a ^[j]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

but ^[k]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how ^[l]one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: