1 Timothy 3
3
Elders in the Church
1What I say is true: Anyone wanting to become an overseer desires a good work. 2An overseer must not give people a reason to criticize him, and he must have only one wife. He must be self-controlled, wise, respected by others, ready to welcome guests, and able to teach. 3He must not drink too much wine or like to fight, but rather be gentle and peaceable, not loving money. 4He must be a good family leader, having children who cooperate with full respect. 5(If someone does not know how to lead the family, how can that person take care of God’s church?) 6But an elder must not be a new believer, or he might be too proud of himself and be judged guilty just as the devil was. 7An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church so he will not be criticized by others and caught in the devil’s trap.
Deacons in the Church
8In the same way, deacons must be respected by others, not saying things they do not mean. They must not drink too much wine or try to get rich by cheating others. 9With a clear conscience they must follow the secret of the faith that God made known to us. 10Test them first. Then let them serve as deacons if you find nothing wrong in them. 11In the same way, women must be respected by others. They must not speak evil of others. They must be self-controlled and trustworthy in everything. 12Deacons must have only one wife and be good leaders of their children and their own families. 13Those who serve well as deacons are making an honorable place for themselves, and they will be very bold in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Secret of Our Life
14Although I hope I can come to you soon, I am writing these things to you now. 15Then, even if I am delayed, you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth. 16Without doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great:
He was shown to us in a human body,
proved right in spirit,
and seen by angels.
He was proclaimed to the nations,
believed in by the world,
and taken up in glory.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
1 Timothy 3
3
Qualifications for Overseers
1The saying is #See ch. 1:15 trustworthy: If anyone aspires to #See Acts 20:28the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore #Titus 1:6-9 an overseer#3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1 must be above reproach, #[ch. 5:9] the husband of one wife,#3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12 #ver. 11; Titus 2:2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, #1 Pet. 4:9 hospitable, #2 Tim. 2:24able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but #Titus 3:2 gentle, not quarrelsome, #Heb. 13:5; [ch. 6:10]not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity #[ver. 12]keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for #[See ver. 1 above]God’s church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may #ch. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:4become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by #See Mark 4:11 outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into #2 Tim. 2:26; [ch. 6:9]a snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 #
Phil. 1:1 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,#3:8 Or devious in speech #[ch. 5:23; Titus 2:3] not addicted to much wine, #Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2not greedy for dishonest gain. 9They must #[ch. 1:19] hold the mystery of the faith with #See Acts 23:1a clear conscience. 10And #[ch. 5:22]let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11#Titus 2:3 Their wives likewise#3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, #[Titus 2:10]faithful in all things. 12Let deacons each be #ver. 2, 4the husband of one wife, #ver. 2, 4managing their children and their own households well. 13For #See Matt. 25:21those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
#
John 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:20 He#3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated#3:16 Or justified by the Spirit,#3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
#
Luke 2:13; 24:4 seen by angels,
#
Gal. 2:2 proclaimed among the nations,
#
2 Thess. 1:10 believed on in the world,
# See Acts 1:2 taken up in glory.
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