1 Timothy 3
3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full#3:4 Or him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8In the same way, deacons#3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1. are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, the women#3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if 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. 16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,#3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
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1 Timothy 3
3
1Stedfast [is] the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;
2it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
3not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
4his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,
5(and if any one his own house [how] to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)
6not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;
7and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
8Ministrants — in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,
9having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
10and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
11Women — in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
12Ministrants — let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,
13for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that [is] in Christ Jesus.
14These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,
15and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth [thee] to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God — a pillar and foundation of the truth,
16and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety — God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!
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