1 Timothy 3
1 This is a trustworthy statement: “If someone aspires to be an elder, this is a good work to want to do.”
This saying is true. If one earnestly seek the office of a bishop, he desires an excellent work.
2 An elder must be above reproach, married to one wife, self-controlled, well-balanced, sensible, hospitable, and able to teach.
The bishop, then, must be unblamed, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of comely behavior, hospitable, fit to teach;
3 He should be someone who doesn't get drunk or become violent, but is gentle, and is not argumentative or greedy for money.
not given to wine, no striker, but gentle; not quarrelsome, nor a lover of money:
4 He must handle his own family well. His children must respect what he tells them to do.
one who rules well his own house, having his children in subjection to him with all gravity:
5 (For if a man doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he manage God's church?)
for if one know not how to govern his own house; how shall he take care of the congregation of God?
6 He should not be a new believer, in case he gets so full of himself he falls under the same condemnation as the devil.
Not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 People outside the church should also speak well of him so that he won't disgrace himself and fall into the devil's trap.
Moreover, he must even have a good report from those without, that he may not fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil.
8 Similarly deacons should be respected, and not hypocritical. They should not be addicted to drink, and should not be trying to dishonestly enrich themselves.
The deacons, in like manner, must be grave, not double-tongued, not giving themselves to much wine, not persons who earn money by base methods;
9 They must stick to the revealed truth about God, trusting in him with a pure conscience.
holding fast the secret of the faith with a pure conscience.
10 They should be tried out first, and if they can't be faulted then let them serve as deacons.
But let those also be first proved: then let them exercise the office of the deacon, being without blame.
11 Their wives should be respected too. They should not slander people with gossip, and they should be self-controlled and trustworthy in all they do.
The women, in like manner, must be grave, not slanderers; but vigilant, faithful in all things.
12 Deacons should be married to one wife, managing their children and their homes well.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their families.
13 Those who serve well as deacons gain a good reputation and much confidence in their trust in Christ Jesus.
For they who have performed the office of a deacon well, procure to themselves an excellent degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 Even though I hope to see you soon, I'm writing about all this to you so that
These things I write to you, hoping to come to you soon.
15 if I'm delayed you'll know how people should behave themselves in God's house. This is the church of the living God, the support pillar and foundation of the truth.
But if I tarry long, that you may know you ought to behave yourselves in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.--
16 There's no question about it: the revealed truth about God is amazing! He was made known to us in human form, he was vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, declared to the nations, trusted in by the world, and taken up in glory!
And, confessedly, great is the secret of godliness; --he who has manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit; seen of messengers, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
