Προς Τιμοθεον Α΄ 3
1 πιστος ο λογος ει τις επισκοπης ορεγεται καλου εργου επιθυμει
This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.
2 δει ουν τον επισκοπον ανεπιληπτον ειναι μιας γυναικος ανδρα νηφαλεον σωφρονα κοσμιον φιλοξενον διδακτικον
The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;
3 μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη αλλ επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον
Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;
4 του ιδιου οικου καλως προισταμενον τεκνα εχοντα εν υποταγη μετα πασης σεμνοτητος
Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour;
5 ει δε τις του ιδιου οικου προστηναι ουκ οιδεν πως εκκλησιας θεου επιμελησεται
(For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)
6 μη νεοφυτον ινα μη τυφωθεις εις κριμα εμπεση του διαβολου
Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.
7 δει δε αυτον και μαρτυριαν καλην εχειν απο των εξωθεν ινα μη εις ονειδισμον εμπεση και παγιδα του διαβολου
And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.
8 διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις
Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;
9 εχοντας το μυστηριον της πιστεως εν καθαρα συνειδησει
Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.
10 και ουτοι δε δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον ειτα διακονειτωσαν ανεγκλητοι οντες
And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.
11 γυναικας ωσαυτως σεμνας μη διαβολους νηφαλεους πιστας εν πασιν
Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.
12 διακονοι εστωσαν μιας γυναικος ανδρες τεκνων καλως προισταμενοι και των ιδιων οικων
Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well.
13 οι γαρ καλως διακονησαντες βαθμον εαυτοις καλον περιποιουνται και πολλην παρρησιαν εν πιστει τη εν χριστω ιησου
For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 ταυτα σοι γραφω ελπιζων ελθειν προς σε ταχιον
I am writing these things to you, though I am hoping to come to you before long;
15 εαν δε βραδυνω ινα ειδης πως δει εν οικω θεου αναστρεφεσθαι ητις εστιν εκκλησια θεου ζωντος στυλος και εδραιωμα της αληθειας
But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.
16 και ομολογουμενως μεγα εστιν το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον θεος εφανερωθη εν σαρκι εδικαιωθη εν πνευματι ωφθη αγγελοις εκηρυχθη εν εθνεσιν επιστευθη εν κοσμω ανεληφθη εν δοξη
And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.
