1 Timothy 3
1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
Dit is een getrouw woord: zo iemand tot eens opzieners ambt lust heeft, die begeert een treffelijk werk.
2 [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.
Een opziener dan moet onberispelijk zijn, ener vrouwe man, wakker, matig, eerbaar, gaarne herbergende, bekwaam om te leren;
3 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.
Niet genegen tot den wijn, geen smijter, geen vuil-gewinzoeker; maar bescheiden, geen vechter, niet geldgierig.
4 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,
Die zijn eigen huis wel regeert, zijn kinderen in onderdanigheid houdende, met alle stemmigheid;
5 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]
(Want zo iemand zijn eigen huis niet weet te regeren, hoe zal hij voor de Gemeente Gods zorg dragen?)
6 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].
Geen nieuweling, opdat hij niet opgeblazen worde, en in het oordeel des duivels valle.
7 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.
En hij moet ook een goede getuigenis hebben van degenen, die buiten zijn, opdat hij niet valle in smaadheid, en in den strik des duivels.
8 [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).
De diakenen insgelijks moeten eerbaar zijn, niet tweetongig, niet die zich tot veel wijns begeven, geen vuil-gewinzoekers;
9 They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
Houdende de verborgenheid des geloofs in een rein geweten.
10 [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.
En dat deze ook eerst beproefd worden, en dat zij daarna dienen, zo zij onbestraffelijk zijn.
11 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.
De vrouwen insgelijks moeten eerbaar zijn, geen lasteressen, wakker, getrouw in alles.
12 Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
Dat de diakenen ener vrouwe mannen zijn, die hun kinderen en hun eigen huizen wel regeren.
13 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.
Want die wel gediend hebben, verkrijgen zichzelven een goeden opgang, en vele vrijmoedigheid in het geloof, hetwelk is in Christus Jezus.
14 Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
Deze dingen schrijf ik u, hopende zeer haast tot u te komen;
15 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].
Maar zo ik vertoef, opdat gij moogt weten, hoe men in het huis Gods moet verkeren, hetwelk is de Gemeente des levenden Gods, een pilaar en vastigheid der waarheid.
16 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.
En buiten allen twijfel, de verborgenheid der godzaligheid is groot; God is geopenbaard in het vlees, is gerechtvaardigd in den Geest, is gezien van de engelen, is gepredikt onder de heidenen, is geloofd in de wereld, is opgenomen in heerlijkheid.
