1 Timothy 3

International Standard Version

Qualifications for Leaders in the Church

3 This is a trustworthy saying:^[a]

² Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife,^[b] stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.^{[c] 3} He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way. ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, so that he won’t become arrogant and fall into the Devil’s condemnation. ⁷ He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn’t^[d] fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by^[e] the Devil.

⁸ Deacons,^[f] too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced,^[g] addicted to wine, or greedy for money. ⁹ They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences. ¹⁰ But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, let them serve in ministry.^{[h] 11} Their wives^[i] must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything. ¹² Deacons^[j] must be husbands of one wife^[k] and must manage their children and their families well. ¹³ Those who serve well in ministry^[l] gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance by their faith in the Messiah^[m] Jesus.

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon. However, I’m writing this to you ¹⁵ in case I am delayed, so that you may know how to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great:^[n]