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So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[a] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker[b] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[c] Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:2 Or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; Greek reads must be the husband of one wife; also in 3:12.
  2. 3:3 Greek must not drink too much wine; similarly in 3:8.
  3. 3:6 Or he might fall into the same judgment as the devil.

Now the overseer is to be above reproach,(A) faithful to his wife,(B) temperate,(C) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,(D) able to teach,(E) not given to drunkenness,(F) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(G) not a lover of money.(H) 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.(I) (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(J) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(K) and fall under the same judgment(L) as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,(M) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.(N)

In the same way, deacons[b](O) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,(P) and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.(Q) 10 They must first be tested;(R) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper
  2. 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.