1 Timothy 3
3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1This saying is trustworthy:#1Tm 1:15; 4:9 “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,#3:1 Or bishop, or pastor#Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; Ti 1:7 he desires a noble work.” 2An overseer,#Ti 1:6–8 therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,#Ti 2:2,5 respectable, hospitable,#Lv 19:34; 1Pt 4:9; 2Jn 10 able to teach, 3not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.#1Tm 6:10 4He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.#1Tm 5:12; 2Pt 2:3; Rv 20:1–15 7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s#Ac 13:10 trap.
8Deacons,#Php 1:1 likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9holding the mystery of the faith#Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2,19; Jd 3 with a clear conscience.#Heb 13:18 10They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11Wives,#3:11 Or Women#1Pt 3:1–6 likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,#Ti 2:2 faithful in everything. 12Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14I write these things to you, hoping to come#1Tm 4:13 to you soon. 15But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,#1Co 3:16; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2:21–22; 1Pt 2:5; 4:17 which is the church of the living God,#Mt 16:16; 1Tm 4:10 the pillar and foundation of the truth.#Ps 119:142; 2Co 11:10; 2Th 2:10 16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness#2Pt 1:3 is great:
He#3:16 Other mss read God was manifested in the flesh,#Jn 1:14; Php 2:7; 1Jn 4:2; 5:20
vindicated in the Spirit,#Rm 1:3–4; 2:28–29; 7:5–6; 8:4; 1Co 5:5; 6:16–17; Gl 3:3; 4:29; 5:16–24; 6:8; Php 3:3; Col 2:5; Rv 1:10
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed#Mt 11:24; Jn 3:16; Ac 10:43; Rm 10:9; 1Pt 1:8–10 on in the world,
taken up in glory.#Mk 16:19; Jn 20:17; 1Pt 3:22
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1 Timothy 3: CSB
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© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
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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