1 Timothy 3
Christian Standard Bible
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
3 This saying is trustworthy:(A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,[a](B) he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.(F) 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.(G) 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s(H) trap.
8 Deacons,(I) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith(J) with a clear conscience.(K) 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,[b](L) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,(M) faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come(N) to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,(O) which is the church of the living God,(P) the pillar and foundation of the truth.(Q) 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness(R) is great:
1 Timothy 3
Lexham English Bible
Qualifications for Overseers
3 The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. 2 Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, 3 not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money, 4 managing his own household well, having children in submission with all dignity 5 (but if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 But he must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, 10 and these also must be tested first; then let them serve if they[a] are above reproach. 11 The wives[b] likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness Described
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. 15 But if I am delayed, I am writing[c] in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay[d] of the truth. 16 And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:
Who was revealed in the flesh,
was vindicated by[e] the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was proclaimed among the Gentiles[f],
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:10 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are”) which is understood as conditional
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Or “The women”
- 1 Timothy 3:15 The words “I am writing” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause
- 1 Timothy 3:15 Or “basis”; or “support”
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or perhaps “in”
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or “nations”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
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