1 Timothy 3
1 This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
[Since that is a task that others should respect], an overseer must [live] in such a way that [no one] can truly (say that he has done [anything that is] wrong/find fault with him). Specifically, [he must be] faithful to his wife. He must think clearly [about what he does]. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach [God’s truth] well.
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight [those who make him angry]. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his children obey and completely respect,
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, (he certainly cannot care for God’s congregation!/how can he care for God’s congregation?) [RHQ]
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
He must not be one who has just recently [trusted in Jesus], because [if you choose a man] like that, he might become conceited/proud [because you chose him so soon]. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil [because he was conceited/proud].
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Moreover, [an elder must live] in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because [if he conducts himself like] that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] [like people capture animals] in a trap.
8 Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
[Those whom you choose to serve as] deacons likewise [must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically], they must be (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must (be sincere/mean what they say). They must not like to drink a lot of alcohol. They must not (be greedy/have a strong desire to get money).
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.
[Like you do for the elders], you must examine ([their character/how they conduct their lives]) [before you appoint them to serve]. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons.
11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise [must conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be] (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink a lot of alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them, and they will be able [to speak] very boldly/confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
in order that if I (am delayed/things prevent me from visiting to you soon), you will know how believers should conduct their lives [and you will be able to teach that to them]. [I am talking about] all those who are members of God’s family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold/support [MET] the true [message].
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
It is certainly true that [the message that God] has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say/sing about [Christ] (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live (in a godly manner/in a manner that pleases God). It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. [We] ([affirm/say that it is true]) concerning Jesus Christ that, He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body. God’s Spirit showed/demonstrated that he is/was truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously); Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations; People in many parts of the world believed the message about him. God took him up into heaven.
