1 Timothy 3
1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
How true is this saying: “To aspire to be to be a supervisor in the church is to be ambitious for a noble task.”
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
The supervisor should be of blameless character; a faithful partner; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skilful teacher,
3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money;
4 An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
they should provide for their own household well, and their children should kept under control and be well-behaved.
5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
If someone does not know how to provide for their own household, how can they take charge of 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.
The supervisor should not be a recent convert, or they might become blinded by pride and fall under the same judgement 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.
They should also be well spoken of by outsiders, so that they may not incur censure and so fall into the devil’s trap.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
So, too, assistants should be serious and straightforward, not given to taking much drink or to questionable money-making,
9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
but people who hold the deep truths of the faith and have a clear conscience.
10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
They should be tested first, and only appointed to their office if no objection is raised against them.
11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
It should be the same with the women in this office. They should be serious, not gossips, sober, and trustworthy in all respects.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
Assistants should be faithful partners who manage their children and their households well.
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.
Those who have filled that post with honour gain for themselves an honourable position, as well as great confidence through the faith that they place in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
I am writing this to you, though I hope that I will come to see you before long;
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.
but in case I should be delayed, I want you to know what your conduct ought to be in the household of God, which is the church of the living God – the pillar and stay of the truth.
16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
Yes, and undeniably wonderful are the deep truths of our religion; for – “He was revealed in our nature, pronounced righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.”
