1 Timothy 3

Supervisors in God’s household

1This saying is reliable: if anyone has a goal to be a supervisor#3.1 Or bishop, overseer in the church, they want a good thing. 2So the church’s supervisor must be without fault. They should be faithful to their spouse, sober, modest, and honest. They should show hospitality and be skilled at teaching. 3They shouldn’t be addicted to alcohol or be a bully. Instead, they should be gentle, peaceable, and not greedy. 4They should manage their own household well—they should see that their children are obedient with complete respect, 5because if they don’t know how to manage their own household, how can they take care of God’s church? 6They shouldn’t be new believers so that they won’t become proud and fall under the devil’s spell. 7They should also have a good reputation with those outside the church so that they won’t be embarrassed and fall into the devil’s trap.

Servants in God’s household

8In the same way, servants#3.8 Or deacons in the church should be dignified, not two-faced, heavy drinkers, or greedy for money. 9They should hold on to the faith that has been revealed with a clear conscience. 10They should also be tested and then serve if they are without fault. 11In the same way, women who are servants#3.11 Or wives, omit who are servants in the church should be dignified and not gossip. They should be sober and faithful in everything they do. 12Servants#3.12 Or deacons must be faithful to their spouse and manage their children and their own households well. 13Those who have served well gain a good standing and considerable confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Leading God’s household

14I hope to come to you quickly. But I’m writing these things to you so that 15if I’m delayed, you’ll know how you should behave in God’s household. It is the church of the living God and the backbone and support of the truth. 16Without question, the mystery of godliness is great: he was revealed as a human, declared righteous by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached throughout the nations, believed in around the world, and taken up in glory.

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1 Timothy 3: CEB

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1 Timothy 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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