1 Timothy 3:10-16

Contemporary English Version

¹⁰They must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.

¹¹Women^[a] must also be serious. They must not gossip or be heavy drinkers, and they must be faithful in everything they do.

¹²Church officers must be faithful in marriage.^[b] They must be in full control of their children and everyone else in their home. ¹³Those who serve well as officers will earn a good reputation and will be highly respected for their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Our Religion

¹⁴I hope to visit you soon. But I am writing these instructions, ¹⁵so if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God's family ought to behave. After all, the church of the living God is the strong foundation of truth.

¹⁶Here is the great mystery of our religion:

Christ^[c] came as a human.
The Spirit proved
that he pleased God,
and he was seen by angels.

Christ was preached
to the nations.
People in this world
put their faith in him,
and he was taken up to glory.

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Footnotes

3.11 Women: Either church officers or the wives of church officers.
3.12 be faithful in marriage: See the note at 3.2.
3.16 Christ: The Greek text has “he,” probably meaning “Christ.” Some manuscripts have “God.”