1 Timothy 3
Qualifications for Overseers
(Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)
¹ This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
² An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife,1 temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
³ not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
⁴ An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
⁵ For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
⁷ Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
(Acts 6:1–7)
⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
⁹ They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
¹⁰ Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
¹¹ In the same way, the women 2 must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
¹² A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
¹³ For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
¹⁵ in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
¹⁶ By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared 3 in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit,4 was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.