1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

1 This sayingt is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer,t he desires a good work.”2 The overseerts then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,t temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.t5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogantt and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.t

7 And he must be well thought of byt those outside the faith,t so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.t
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified,t not two-faced,t not given to excessive drinking,t not greedy for gain,9 holding to the mystery of the faiths with a clear conscience.10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.11 Likewise also their wivest must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.12 Deacons must be husbands of one wifet and good managers of their children and their own households.

13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselvess and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.s

Conduct in God’s Church

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructionsts to you15 in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselvest in the household of God, because it ist the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.

16 And we all agree,t our religion contains amazing revelation:t
Hests was revealed in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,t
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 3

Overseers and Deacons

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self‑controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey 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?)6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,15 if 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.

16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.