1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.2 Therefore an overseert must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,t sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,t not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.11 Their wives likewise mustt be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.13 For those 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

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,15 if 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.

16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
Het was manifested in the flesh,
vindicatedt by the Spirit,t
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 3

1 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;5 (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.7 Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.8 Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, 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 serve as deacons, if they be blameless.11 Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.12 Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.13 For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, 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 men ought to behave themselves 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; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.