1 Timothy 2:1-3:13

English Standard Version

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ^2 (A)for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and ^(B)dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and ^(C)it is pleasing in the sight of ^(D)God our Savior, ⁴ who desires ^(E)all people to be saved and ^(F)to come to ^(G)the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For ^(H)there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man^[a] Christ Jesus, ^6 (I)who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is ^(J)the testimony given ^(K)at the proper time. ^7 (L)For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (^(M)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), ^(N)a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire then that ^(O)in every place the men should pray, ^(P)lifting ^(Q)holy hands without anger or quarreling; ⁹ likewise also ^(R)that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, ^10 (S)but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. ¹¹ Let a woman learn quietly ^(T)with all submissiveness. ^12 (U)I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. ^13 (V)For Adam was formed first, ^(W)then Eve; ¹⁴ and Adam was not deceived, but ^(X)the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. ¹⁵ Yet she will be saved through ^(Y)childbearing—if they continue in ^(Z)faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Qualifications for Overseers

3 The saying is ^(AA)trustworthy: If anyone aspires to ^(AB)the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore ^(AC)an overseer^[b] must be above reproach, ^(AD)the husband of one wife,^{[c] (AE)}sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, ^(AF)hospitable, ^(AG)able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(AH)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(AI)not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity ^(AJ)keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for ^(AK)God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may ^(AL)become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by ^(AM)outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ^(AN)a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

^8 (AO)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^{[d] (AP)}not addicted to much wine, ^(AQ)not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must ^(AR)hold the mystery of the faith with ^(AS)a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And ^(AT)let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ^11 (AU)Their wives likewise^[e] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, ^(AV)faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons each be ^(AW)the husband of one wife, ^(AX)managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For ^(AY)those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.