1 Timothy 3
1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
Fiel es esta palabra: si alguno desea el episcopado, buena obra desea.
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.
Mas es necesario que el obispo sea irreprensible, marido de una sola mujer, sobrio, prudente, modesto, hospitalario, capaz de enseñar;
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.
no dado al vino, no violento sino moderado; no pendenciero, no codicioso,
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,
que sepa gobernar bien su propia casa, que tenga sus hijos en sumisión con toda decencia;
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]
—pues si uno no sabe gobernar su propia casa ¿cómo podrá cuidar de la Iglesia de Dios?—
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].
no neófito, no sea que —hinchado— venga a caer en el juicio del diablo.
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.
Debe, además, tener buena reputación de parte de los de afuera, para que no sea infamado ni caiga en algún lazo del diablo.
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).
Así también los diáconos tienen que ser hombres honestos, sin doblez en su lengua, no dados a mucho vino, no codiciosos de vil ganancia,
9 They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
y que guarden el misterio de la fe en una conciencia pura.
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.
Sean probados primero, y luego ejerzan su ministerio si fueren irreprensibles.
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.
Las mujeres igualmente sean honestas, no calumniadoras; sobrias, fieles en todo.
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.
Los diáconos sean maridos de una sola mujer; que gobiernen bien a sus hijos y sus propias casas.
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.
Porque los que desempeñaren bien el oficio de diácono, se ganan un buen grado, y mucha seguridad en la fe que es en Cristo Jesús.
14 Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
Esto te escribo, aunque espero ir a ti dentro de poco,
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].
para que, si tardare, sepas cómo debes portarte en la casa de Dios, que es la Iglesia del Dios vivo, columna y cimiento de la verdad.
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.
Y sin duda alguna, grande es el misterio de la piedad: Aquel que fue manifestado en carne, justificado en espíritu, visto de ángeles, predicado entre gentiles, creído en ( este ) mundo, recibido en la gloria.
