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.