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.
1 Timothy 3
3
Leaders in the Church
1It is a true statement that anyone whose goal is to serve as an elder#3:1 whose … elder Literally, “who aspires to supervision.” has his heart set on a good work. 2An elder#3:2 elder Here, literally, “overseer.” See “elders (New Testament)” in the Word List. must be such a good man that no one can rightly criticize him. He must be faithful to his wife.#3:2 faithful to his wife Literally, “a man of one woman.” He must have self-control and be wise. He must be respected by others. He must be ready to help people by welcoming them into his home. He must be a good teacher. 3He must not drink too much, and he must not be someone who likes to fight. He must be gentle and peaceful. He must not be someone who loves money. 4He must be a good leader of his own family. This means that his children obey him with full respect. 5If a man does not know how to lead his own family, he will not be able to take care of God’s church.
6An elder must not be a new believer. It might make him too proud of himself. Then he would be condemned for his pride the same as the devil was. 7An elder must also have the respect of people who are not part of the church. Then he will not be criticized by others and be caught in the devil’s trap.
Special Servants
8In the same way, the men who are chosen to be special servants must have the respect of others. They must not be men who say things they don’t mean or who spend their time drinking too much. They must not be men who will do almost anything for money. 9They must follow the true faith that God has now made known to us and always do what they know is right. 10You should test them first. Then, if you find that they have done nothing wrong, they can be special servants.
11In the same way, the women#3:11 women Probably the women who serve as special servants (see Rom. 16:1). It could be translated, “their wives,” meaning the wives of the special servants, although there is no word for “their” in the Greek text. must have the respect of others. They must not be women who speak evil about other people. They must have self-control and be women who can be trusted in everything.
12The men who are special servants must be faithful in marriage.#3:12 faithful in marriage Literally, “a man of one woman.” They must be good leaders of children and their own families. 13Those who do well as special servants 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 this to you now, 15so that, even if I cannot come soon, you will know how people should live in the family#3:15 family Literally, “house.” This could mean that God’s people are like God’s temple. of God. That family is the church of the living God. And God’s church is the support and foundation of the truth. 16Without a doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great:
Christ#3:16 Christ Literally, “who.” Some Greek copies have “God.” was shown to us in human form;
the Spirit proved that he was right;
he was seen by angels.
The message about him was told to the nations;
people in the world believed in him;
he was taken up to heaven in glory.
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