1 Timothy 3

Leadership in the Church

1 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good!2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about,3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.4 He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.5 For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?6 He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up.7 Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

8 The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it.9 They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things.10 Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.11 No exceptions are to be made for women-same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so15 you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.16 This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

1 Timothy 4

Teach with Your Life

1 The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars.2 These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth.3 They will tell you not to get married. They'll tell you not to eat this or that food-perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by Christians!4 Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.5 God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

6 You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the Christians there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus.7 Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God-no spiritual flabbiness, please!8 Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.9 You can count on this. Take it to heart.10 This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

11 Get the word out. Teach all these things.12 And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.13 Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching.14 And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed-keep that dusted off and in use.

15 Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes!16 Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

1 Timothy 5

The Family of Faith

1 Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers.2 Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.

3 Take care of widows who are destitute.4 If a widow has family members to take care of her, let them learn that religion begins at their own doorstep and that they should pay back with gratitude some of what they have received. This pleases God immensely.5 You can tell a legitimate widow by the way she has put all her hope in God, praying to him constantly for the needs of others as well as her own.6 But a widow who exploits people's emotions and pocketbooks-well, there's nothing to her.7 Tell these things to the people so that they will do the right thing in their extended family.8 Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place.

9 Sign some widows up for the special ministry of offering assistance. They will in turn receive support from the church. They must be over sixty, married only once,10 and have a reputation for helping out with children, strangers, tired Christians, the hurt and troubled.

11 Don't put young widows on this list. No sooner will they get on than they'll want to get off, obsessed with wanting to get a husband rather than serving Christ in this way.12 By breaking their word, they're liable to go from bad to worse,13 frittering away their days on empty talk, gossip, and trivialities.14 No, I'd rather the young widows go ahead and get married in the first place, have children, manage their homes, and not give critics any foothold for finding fault.15 Some of them have already left and gone after Satan.

16 Any Christian woman who has widows in her family is responsible for them. They shouldn't be dumped on the church. The church has its hands full already with widows who need help.

17 Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching.18 Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox," and, "A worker deserves his pay."

19 Don't listen to a complaint against a leader that isn't backed up by two or three responsible witnesses.

20 If anyone falls into sin, call that person on the carpet. Those who are inclined that way will know right off they can't get by with it.

21 God and Jesus and angels all back me up in these instructions. Carry them out without favoritism, without taking sides.22 Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice. In any event, keep a close check on yourself.23 And don't worry too much about what the critics will say. Go ahead and drink a little wine, for instance; it's good for your digestion, good medicine for what ails you.

24 The sins of some people are blatant and march them right into court. The sins of others don't show up until much later.25 The same with good deeds. Some you see right off, but none are hidden forever.