1 Timoteo 3
1 Este es un verdadero dicho: Un hombre que desea la posición de un Obispo desea un buen trabajo.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 El Obispo, entonces, debe ser un hombre de buen nombre, esposo de una sola esposa, sobrios, llevar una vida seria y respetuosa, abriendo su casa libremente a los invitados, un maestro preparado;
[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.
3 No debe ser borrachos ni dado a la ira o los golpes, pero gentil, ningún amante del dinero;
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.
4 Gobernar bien su casa, tener a sus hijos bajo control con todo comportamiento serio;
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,
5 Porque si un hombre no tiene el arte de gobernar su casa, ¿cómo cuidará de la iglesia de Dios?
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]
6 No debe ser un recién convertido, por temor a que, a través de su alta opinión de sí mismo, pueda entrar en el mismo pecado que el Maligno.
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].
7 Y él debe tener un buen nombre entre los que están fuera de la iglesia, para que nada se diga contra él y caiga en escándalo y en la trampa del diablo.
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.
8 Los diáconos, de la misma manera, deben ser serios en su comportamiento, que nunca falten a su palabra, no dedicados a tomar mucho vino o desear la riqueza deshonesta de este mundo;
[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).
9 Mantener el secreto de la fe en un corazón libre de pecado.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Y que estos sean puestos a prueba primero; luego, conviértanse en Diáconos si no hay nada en contra de ellos.
[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.
11 Las mujeres deben ser serias en el comportamiento, no decir mal de los demás, serias, dignas de confianza en todas las cosas.
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.
12 Deja que los diáconos sean maridos de una sola esposa, que gobiernen bien a sus hijos y a sus casas.
Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
13 Porque aquellos que han hecho un buen trabajo, se ganan un lugar de honor y con mayor confianza podrán hablar del amor de Cristo Jesús.
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.
14 Te escribo estas cosas, aunque espero venir a ti pronto;
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 Pero si tengo mucho tiempo para venir, esto les aclarara cuál es el comportamiento correcto para los hombres en la casa de Dios, que es la iglesia del Dios viviente, la columna y base de lo que es verdadero.
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].
16 Y sin argumento, grande es el secreto nuestra piedad: Dios fue manifestado, fue visto en la carne, justificado en el Espíritu, visto por ángeles predicado a los gentiles, creído en él mundo, recibido en gloria.
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.
