Timotheum I 3
1 Fidelis sermo: si quis episcopatum desiderat, bonum opus desiderat.
This is a trustworthy statement: “If someone aspires to be an elder, this is a good work to want to do.”
2 Oportet enim episcopum irreprehensibilem esse: unius uxoris virum, sobrium, prudentem, ornatum, pudicum, hospitalem, doctorem,
An elder must be above reproach, married to one wife, self-controlled, well-balanced, sensible, hospitable, and able to teach.
3 non vinolentum, non percussorem, sed modestum: non litigiosum, non cupidum, sed
He should be someone who doesn't get drunk or become violent, but is gentle, and is not argumentative or greedy for money.
4 suae domui bene praepositum: filios habentem subditos cum omni castitate.
He must handle his own family well. His children must respect what he tells them to do.
5 Si quis autem domui suae praeesse nescit, quomodo Ecclesiae Dei diligentiam habebit?
(For if a man doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he manage God's church?)
6 Non neophytum: ne in superbiam elatus, in iudicium incidat diaboli.
He should not be a new believer, in case he gets so full of himself he falls under the same condemnation as the devil.
7 Oportet autem illum et testimonium habere bonum ab iis, qui foris sunt, ut non in opprobrium incidat, et in laqueum diaboli.
People outside the church should also speak well of him so that he won't disgrace himself and fall into the devil's trap.
8 Diaconos similiter pudicos, non bilingues, non multo vino deditos, non turpe lucrum sectantes:
Similarly deacons should be respected, and not hypocritical. They should not be addicted to drink, and should not be trying to dishonestly enrich themselves.
9 habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura.
They must stick to the revealed truth about God, trusting in him with a pure conscience.
10 Et hi autem probentur primum: et sic ministrent, nullum crimen habentes.
They should be tried out first, and if they can't be faulted then let them serve as deacons.
11 Mulieres similiter pudicas, non detrahentes, sobrias, fideles in omnibus.
Their wives should be respected too. They should not slander people with gossip, and they should be self-controlled and trustworthy in all they do.
12 Diaconi sint unius uxoris viri: qui filiis suis bene praesint, et suis domibus.
Deacons should be married to one wife, managing their children and their homes well.
13 Qui enim bene ministraverint, gradum bonum sibi acquirent, et multam fiduciam in fide, quae est in Christo Iesu.
Those who serve well as deacons gain a good reputation and much confidence in their trust in Christ Jesus.
14 Haec tibi scribo fili Thimothee, sperans me ad te venire cito.
Even though I hope to see you soon, I'm writing about all this to you so that
15 si autem tardavero, ut scias quomodo oporteat te in domo Dei conversari, quae est Ecclesia Dei vivi, columna et firmamentum veritatis.
if I'm delayed you'll know how people should behave themselves in God's house. This is the church of the living God, the support pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Et manifeste magnum est pietatis sacramentum, quod manifestatum est in carne, iustificatum est in spiritu, apparuit angelis, praedicatum est Gentibus, creditum est in mundo, assumptum est in gloria.
There's no question about it: the revealed truth about God is amazing! He was made known to us in human form, he was vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, declared to the nations, trusted in by the world, and taken up in glory!
