1 Timothy 3

Leaders in the Church

1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader,#3:1 Or an overseer, or a bishop; also in 3:2, 6. he desires an honorable position.” 2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.#3:2 Or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; Greek reads must be the husband of one wife; also in 3:12. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3He must not be a heavy drinker#3:3 Greek must not drink too much wine; similarly in 3:8. or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.#3:6 Or he might fall into the same judgment as the devil. 7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

8In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

11In the same way, their wives#3:11 Or the women deacons. The Greek word can be translated women or wives. must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

12A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Truths of Our Faith

14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith#3:16a Or of godliness.:

Christ#3:16b Greek He who; other manuscripts read God. was revealed in a human body

and vindicated by the Spirit.#3:16c Or in his spirit.

He was seen by angels

and announced to the nations.

He was believed in throughout the world

and taken to heaven in glory.

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1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers

1The saying is #See ch. 1:15trustworthy: If anyone aspires to #See Acts 20:28the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore #Titus 1:6-9an 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 2:2sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, #1 Pet. 4:9hospitable, #2 Tim. 2:24able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but #Titus 3:2gentle, 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 4:11outsiders, 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 2:3Their 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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