1 Timothy 3

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:15 But 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.16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3

Guidelines for Leaders in the Church

1 This is a statement that can be trusted: If anyone sets his heart on being a bishop,t he desires something excellent.2 A bishop must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife, be sober, use good judgment, be respectable, be hospitable, and be able to teach.3 He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but he must be gentle. He must not be quarrelsome or love money.4 He must manage his own family well. His children should respectfully obey him.5 (If a man doesn’t know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)6 He must not be a new Christian, or he might become arrogant like the devil and be condemned.

7 People who are not Christians must speak well of him, or he might become the victim of disgraceful insults that the devil sets as traps for him.
8 Deaconst must also be of good character. They must not be two-faced or addicted to alcohol. They must not use shameful ways to make money.9 They must have clear consciences about possessing the mystery of the Christian faith.

10 First, a person must be evaluated. Then, if he has a good reputation, he may become a deacon.
11 Their wives must also be of good character. They must not be gossips, but they must control their tempers and be trustworthy in every way.12 A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well.

13 Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation and will have confidence as a result of their faith in Christ Jesus.
14 I hope to visit you soon. However, I’m writing this to you

15 in case I’m delayed. I want you to know how people who are members of God’s family must live. God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great:Het appeared in his human nature,was approved by the Spirit,was seen by angels,was announced throughout the nations,was believed in the world,and was taken to heaven in glory.