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
1 The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. 2Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, 3not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money, 4managing his own household well, having children in submission with all dignity 5(but if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7But he must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, 9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, 10and these also must be tested first; then let them serve if they#*Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are”) which is understood as conditional are above reproach. 11The wives#Or “The women” likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things. 12Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness Described
14I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. 15But if I am delayed, I am writing#*The words “I am writing” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay#Or “basis”; or “support” of the truth. 16And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:
Who was revealed in the flesh,
was vindicated by#Or perhaps “in” the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was proclaimed among the Gentiles#Or “nations”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
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