1 Timothy 3:2-12
English Standard Version
2 Therefore (A)an overseer[a] must be above reproach, (B)the husband of one wife,[b] (C)sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, (D)hospitable, (E)able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but (F)gentle, not quarrelsome, (G)not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity (H)keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for (I)God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may (J)become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by (K)outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into (L)a snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 (M)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[c] (N)not addicted to much wine, (O)not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must (P)hold the mystery of the faith with (Q)a clear conscience. 10 And (R)let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 (S)Their wives likewise[d] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, (T)faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be (U)the husband of one wife, (V)managing their children and their own households well.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12
- 1 Timothy 3:8 Or devious in speech
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise
1 Timothy 3:2-12
New International Version
2 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) 3 not given to drunkenness,(F) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(G) not a lover of money.(H) 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.(I) 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(J) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(K) and fall under the same judgment(L) as the devil. 7 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)
8 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. 9 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.
11 In the same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers(S) but temperate(T) and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife(U) and must manage his children and his household well.(V)
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
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