1 Timothy 3
3
Leaders in the Church
1What I say is true: If anyone wants to become an overseer, he is wanting a good work. 2An overseer must be so good that people cannot rightly criticize him. He must have only one wife. He must have self-control and be wise. He must be respected by other people and must be ready to help people by accepting them into his home. He must be a good teacher. 3He must not drink too much wine, and he must not be a man who likes to fight. He must be gentle and peaceful. He must not love money. 4He must be a good leader of his own family so that his children obey him with full respect. 5(If a man does not know how to be a leader over his own family, he will not be able to take care of God’s church.) 6But an elder must not be a new believer. A new believer might be too proud of himself. Then he would be judged guilty for his pride just as the devil was. 7An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church. Then he will not be criticized by others and caught in the devil’s trap.
Helpers in the Church
8In the same way, deacons must be men that people can respect. They must not say things they do not mean. They must not use their time drinking too much wine, and they must not be men who are always trying to get rich by cheating others. 9They must follow the faith that God made known to us and always do what they know is right. 10You should test those men first. If you find nothing wrong in them, then they can serve as deacons. 11In the same way, the women# This might mean the wives of the deacons, or it might mean women who serve in the same way as deacons. must have the respect of other people. They must not be women who repeat evil gossip about other people. They must have self-control and be women who can be trusted in everything. 12Deacons must have only one wife. They must 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 feel very sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Secret of Our Life
14I hope I can come to you soon. But I am writing these things to you now. 15Then, even if I cannot come soon, you will know about the things that people must do 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# Some Greek copies read “God.” was shown to us in a human body,
proved right by the Spirit,
and seen by angels.
He was preached to the nations,
believed in by the world,
and taken to heaven in glory.
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1 Timothy 3: ICB
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
1 Timothy 3
3
Leaders in the Church
1This is a true saying: if a man is eager to be a church leader, he desires an excellent work. 2#Tit 1.6–9A church leader must be without fault; he must have only one wife,#3.2 have only one wife; or be married only once. be sober, self-controlled, and orderly; he must welcome strangers in his home; he must be able to teach; 3he must not be a drunkard or a violent man, but gentle and peaceful; he must not love money; 4he must be able to manage his own family well and make his children obey him with all respect. 5For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? 6He must be mature in the faith, so that he will not swell up with pride and be condemned, as the Devil was. 7He should be a man who is respected by the people outside the church, so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the Devil's trap.
Helpers in the Church
8Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money; 9they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve. 11Their wives#3.11 Their wives; or Women helpers. also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything. 12A church helper must have only one wife,#3.12 have only one wife; or be married only once. and be able to manage his children and family well. 13Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Great Secret
14As I write this letter to you, I hope to come and see you soon. 15But if I am delayed, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion:
He appeared in human form,
was shown to be right by the Spirit,#3.16 was shown to be right by the Spirit; or and, in spiritual form, was shown to be right.
and was seen by angels.
He was preached among the nations,
was believed in throughout the world,
and was taken up to heaven.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.