1 Timothy 3:1-16
3 That statement is faithful.+
If any man is reaching out for an office of overseer,*+ he is desirous of a fine work.
2 The overseer* should therefore be irreprehensible,+ a husband of one wife, moderate+ in habits,* sound in mind,+ orderly,*+ hospitable,*+ qualified to teach,+
3 not a drunken brawler,*+ not a smiter,*+ but reasonable,*+ not belligerent,*+ not a lover of money,+
4 a man presiding over* his own household in a fine manner,+ having children in subjection with all seriousness;+
5 (if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of God’s congregation?)
6 not a newly converted man,*+ for fear that he might get puffed up [with pride]+ and fall into the judgment passed upon the Devil.+
7 Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony* from people on the outside,+ in order that he might not fall into reproach and a snare+ of the Devil.
8 Ministerial servants*+ should likewise be serious, not double-tongued,* not giving themselves to a lot of wine, not greedy of dishonest gain,+
9 holding the sacred secret+ of the faith with a clean conscience.+
10 Also, let these be tested+ as to fitness first, then let them serve as ministers, as they are free from accusation.+
11 Women should likewise be serious, not slanderous,+ moderate+ in habits, faithful in all things.+
12 Let ministerial servants* be husbands of one wife,+ presiding in a fine manner over children and their own households.+
13 For the men who minister in a fine manner are acquiring for themselves a fine standing+ and great freeness of speech*+ in the faith in connection with Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing you these things, though I am hoping to come to you shortly,+
15 but in case I am delayed, that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in God’s household,+ which is the congregation of [the] living God, a pillar and support+ of the truth.
16 Indeed, the sacred secret+ of this godly devotion* is admittedly great: ‘He was made manifest in flesh,+ was declared righteous in spirit,+ appeared to angels,+ was preached about among nations,+ was believed upon in [the] world,+ was received up in glory.’+
Footnotes
^ “Office of overseer.” Gr., e·pi·sko·pesʹ; J17(Heb.), peqi·dhuthʹ, “oversight.”
^ “Overseer.” Gr., e·piʹsko·pon; J17(Heb.), u·pheqidhʹ, “and an overseer.”
^ Lit., “sober.”
^ Lit., “arranged.”
^ Lit., “fond of strangers.”
^ Lit., “not fighting.”
^ Lit., “yielding.”
^ Lit., “not dealing blows.”
^ Lit., “not given to wine.”
^ “Presiding over.” Lit., “standing before.”
^ “Newly converted man.” Lit., “neophyte.” Gr., ne·oʹphy·ton.
^ Lit., “witness.”
^ Or, “Deacons.” Gr., di·a·koʹnous; Lat., di·aʹco·nos.
^ Lit., “double-talking.”
^ Or, “deacons.” Gr., di·aʹko·noi; Lat., di·aʹco·nes.
^ Or, “great boldness.”
^ “Godly devotion,” אAVg; J7,8, “fear of Jehovah.”
