1 Timothy 3
3
Rules for Choosing Leaders and Deacons
1Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, they want to do a good work for God and people. 2A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. 3He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money. 4He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him. And he must do this in a way that gains him respect. 5Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church? 6The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil. 7The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil’s trap.
8In the same way, deacons must be worthy of respect. They must be honest and true. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get money by cheating people. 9They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith. Even their own minds tell them to do that. 10First they must be tested. Then let them serve as deacons if there is nothing against them.
11In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything.
12A deacon must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his children and family well. 13Those who have served well earn the full respect of others. They also become more sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s Reasons for Giving Instructions to Timothy
14I hope I can come to you soon. But now I am writing these instructions to you. 15Then if I have to put off my visit, you will know how people should act in God’s family. The family of God is the church of the living God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16There is no doubt that true godliness comes from this great mystery.
Jesus came as a human being.
The Holy Spirit proved that he was the Son of God.
He was seen by angels.
He was preached among the nations.
People in the world believed in him.
He was taken up to heaven in glory.
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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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