1 Timothy 3
3
Qualifications for Overseers
1The saying is #See ch. 1:15 trustworthy: If anyone aspires to #See Acts 20:28the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore #Titus 1:6-9 an overseer#3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1 must be above reproach, #[ch. 5:9] the husband of one wife,#3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12 #ver. 11; Titus 2:2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, #1 Pet. 4:9 hospitable, #2 Tim. 2:24able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but #Titus 3:2 gentle, not quarrelsome, #Heb. 13:5; [ch. 6:10]not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity #[ver. 12]keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for #[See ver. 1 above]God’s church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may #ch. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:4become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by #See Mark 4:11 outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into #2 Tim. 2:26; [ch. 6:9]a snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 #
Phil. 1:1 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,#3:8 Or devious in speech #[ch. 5:23; Titus 2:3] not addicted to much wine, #Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2not greedy for dishonest gain. 9They must #[ch. 1:19] hold the mystery of the faith with #See Acts 23:1a clear conscience. 10And #[ch. 5:22]let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11#Titus 2:3 Their wives likewise#3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, #[Titus 2:10]faithful in all things. 12Let deacons each be #ver. 2, 4the husband of one wife, #ver. 2, 4managing their children and their own households well. 13For #See Matt. 25:21those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
#
John 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:20 He#3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated#3:16 Or justified by the Spirit,#3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
#
Luke 2:13; 24:4 seen by angels,
#
Gal. 2:2 proclaimed among the nations,
#
2 Thess. 1:10 believed on in the world,
# See Acts 1:2 taken up in glory.
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1 Timothy 3
3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full#3:4 Or him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8In the same way, deacons#3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1. are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, the women#3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,#3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
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