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 someone desires to be an 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 without reproach. He must be a husband of one wife. He must be moderate, sensible, orderly, and hospitable. He must be 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.

He must not be addicted to wine, not a brawler, but instead, gentle, peaceful. He must not be 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 should manage his own household well, and his children should obey him with all respect.

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 manage his own household, how will he care for a church of God?

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 should not be a new convert, so that he does not swell with pride and might fall into condemnation as 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 with those outside, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the trap 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, should be dignified, not double-talkers. They should not drink too much wine or be greedy.

9 They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].

They should keep the revealed truth of the faith with a clean 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 should also be approved first, then they should serve because they are blameless.

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.

Women in the same way should be dignified. They should not be slanderers. They should be moderate 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.

Deacons must be husbands of one wife. They must manage well their children and household.

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 acquire for themselves a good standing and great confidence 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 you, and I expect to come to you 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 you may know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support 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.

It is undeniable that the revealed truth of godliness is great: “He appeared in the flesh, was justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among nations, was believed on in the world, and was taken up in glory.”