1 Timothy 3
3
1A faithful saying: if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher,
3Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but
4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity.
5But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
6Not a neophyte: lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil.
7Moreover he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8Deacons in like manner chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:
9Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.
10And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime.
11The women in like manner chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things.
12Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses.
13For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly.
15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.
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1 Timothy 3: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
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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