1 Timothy 3
1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.
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.
Therefore the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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.
not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for sordid gain, but gentle, not contentious, and not a lover of money.
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,
He must lead his own household well, keeping his children in submission with all dignity.
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]
(For if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)
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].
He must not be a new convert, or he might become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
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.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.
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).
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for sordid gain.
9 They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
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.
They must first be tested; if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
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.
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded and faithful in all things.
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.
A deacon must be the husband of one wife and must lead his children and his own household well.
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.
For those who have served well as deacons obtain a good standing for themselves along with great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
I am writing these things to yoʋ, hoping to come to yoʋ soon.
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].
But if I delay, I am writing so that yoʋ may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and foundation of the truth.
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.
Beyond all question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
