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1 Timothy 3-4
New Life Version
1 Timothy 3-4
New Life Version
What a Church Leader Must Be Like
3 It is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work. 2 A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willing to take people into his home. He must be willing to learn and able to teach the Word of God. 3 He must not get drunk or want to fight. Instead, he must be gentle. He must not have a love for money. 4 He should be a good leader in his own home. His children must obey and respect him. 5 If a man cannot be a good leader in his own home, how can he lead the church? 6 A church leader must not be a new Christian. A new Christian might become proud and fall into sin which is brought on by the devil. 7 A church leader must be respected by people who are not Christians so nothing can be said against him. In that way, he will not be trapped by the devil.
What the Church Helpers Must Be Like
8 Church helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money. 9 They must have their faith in Christ and be His follower with a heart that says they are right. 10 They must first be tested to see if they are ready for the work as church helpers. Then if they do well, they may be chosen as church helpers. 11 The wives of church helpers must be careful how they act. They must not carry stories from one person to another. They must be wise and faithful in all they do. 12 Church helpers must have only one wife. They must lead their home well and their children must obey them. 13 Those who work well as church helpers will be respected by others and their own faith in Christ Jesus will grow.
Why Paul Writes to Timothy
14 I hope to come to you soon. I am writing these things 15 because it may be awhile before I get there. I wanted you to know how you should act among people in the church which is the house of the living God. The church holds up the truth. 16 It is important to know the secret of God-like living, which is: Christ came to earth as a Man. He was pure in His Spirit. He was seen by angels. The nations heard about Him. Men everywhere put their trust in Him. He was taken up into heaven.
False Teaching in the Last Days
4 The Holy Spirit tells us in plain words that in the last days some people will turn away from the faith. They will listen to what is said about spirits and follow the teaching about demons. 2 Those who teach this tell it as the truth when they know it is a lie. They do it so much that their own hearts no longer say it is wrong. 3 They will say, “Do not get married. Do not eat some kinds of food.” But God gave these things to Christians who know the truth. We are to thank God for them. 4 Everything God made is good. We should not put anything aside if we can take it and thank God for it. 5 It is made holy by the Word of God and prayer.
Christians Are to Grow
6 If you keep telling these things to the Christians, you will be a good worker for Jesus Christ. You will feed your own soul on these words of faith and on this good teaching which you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with foolish stories old women tell. Keep yourself growing in God-like living. 8 Growing strong in body is all right but growing in God-like living is more important. It will not only help you in this life now but in the next life also. 9 These words are true and they can be trusted. 10 Because of this, we work hard and do our best because our hope is in the living God, the One Who would save all men. He saves those who believe in Him.
Paul’s Helpful Words to Young Timothy
11 Tell people that this is what they must do. 12 Let no one show little respect for you because you are young. Show other Christians how to live by your life. They should be able to follow you in the way you talk and in what you do. Show them how to live in faith and in love and in holy living. 13 Until I come, read and preach and teach the Word of God to the church. 14 Be sure to use the gift God gave you. The leaders saw this in you when they laid their hands on you and said what you should do. 15 Think about all this. Work at it so everyone may see you are growing as a Christian. 16 Watch yourself how you act and what you teach. Stay true to what is right. If you do, you and those who hear you will be saved from the punishment of sin.
1 Timothy 3-4
New International Version
1 Timothy 3-4
New International Version
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
3 Here is a trustworthy saying:(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer(B) desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach,(C) faithful to his wife,(D) temperate,(E) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,(F) able to teach,(G) 3 not given to drunkenness,(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(I) not a lover of money.(J) 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect.(K) 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(L) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(M) and fall under the same judgment(N) as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,(O) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.(P)
8 In the same way, deacons[b](Q) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,(R) and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.(S) 10 They must first be tested;(T) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers(U) but temperate(V) and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife(W) and must manage his children and his household well.(X) 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(Y) of the living God,(Z) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(AA) from which true godliness(AB) springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,(AC)
was vindicated by the Spirit,[d]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,(AD)
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.(AE)
4 The Spirit(AF) clearly says that in later times(AG) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(AH) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(AI) 3 They forbid people to marry(AJ) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(AK) which God created(AL) to be received with thanksgiving(AM) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(AN) and nothing is to be rejected(AO) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(AP) and prayer.
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[e] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(AQ) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(AR) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(AS) rather, train yourself to be godly.(AT) 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(AU) holding promise for both the present life(AV) and the life to come.(AW) 9 This is a trustworthy saying(AX) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(AY) who is the Savior of all people,(AZ) and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.(BA) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(BB) because you are young, but set an example(BC) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(BD) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(BE) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(BF) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(BG) when the body of elders(BH) laid their hands on you.(BI)
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(BJ) both yourself and your hearers.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper
- 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
- 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
New Life Version (NLV)
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