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1 Timothy 3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Qualifications of Bishops

3 The saying is sure:[a] whoever aspires to the office of bishop[b] desires a noble task.(A) 2 Now a bishop[c] must be above reproach, married only once,[d] temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,(B) 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.(C) 4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert,[e] or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.(D)

Qualifications of Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;(E) 9 they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. 11 Women[f] likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be married only once,[g] and let them manage their children and their households well; 13 for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Our Religion

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, 15 if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.(F) 16 Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great:

He[h] was revealed in flesh,
    vindicated[i] in spirit,[j]
        seen by angels,
proclaimed among gentiles,
    believed in throughout the world,
        taken up in glory.(G)

Footnotes

  1. 3.1 Some interpreters place these words at the end of the previous paragraph. Other ancient authorities read The saying is commonly accepted
  2. 3.1 Or overseer
  3. 3.2 Or an overseer
  4. 3.2 Gk the husband of one wife
  5. 3.6 Gk neophyte
  6. 3.11 Or Women deacons or Wives
  7. 3.12 Gk be husbands of one wife
  8. 3.16 Gk Who; other ancient authorities read God or Which
  9. 3.16 Or justified
  10. 3.16 Or by the Spirit
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1 Timothy 3
New American Standard Bible

Overseers and Deacons

3 (A)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the (B)office of [a]overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 [b](C)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, (D)the husband of one wife, [c](E)temperate, self-controlled, respectable, (F)hospitable, (G)skillful in teaching, 3 (H)not overindulging in wine, not [d]a bully, but gentle, not contentious, (I)free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who (J)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of (K)the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become (L)conceited and fall into (M)condemnation [e]incurred by the devil. 7 And he must (N)have a good reputation with (O)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into [f]disgrace and (P)the snare of the devil.

8 (Q)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not [g]insincere, (R)not prone to drink much wine, (S)not greedy for money, 9 (T)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 (U)These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 [h]Women must likewise be dignified, (V)not malicious gossips, but [i](W)temperate, faithful in all things. 12 (X)Deacons must be (Y)husbands of one wife, and [j](Z)good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (AA)obtain for themselves a [k]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but [l]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in (AB)the household of God, which is the (AC)church of (AD)the living God, the (AE)pillar and support of the truth. 16 Beyond question, great is (AF)the mystery of godliness:

He who was (AG)revealed in the flesh,
Was [m](AH)vindicated [n]in the Spirit,
(AI)Seen by angels,
(AJ)Proclaimed among the nations,
(AK)Believed on in the world,
(AL)Taken up in glory.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 Or bishop
  2. 1 Timothy 3:2 Lit The
  3. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or level-headed
  4. 1 Timothy 3:3 Or combative
  5. 1 Timothy 3:6 Lit of the devil
  6. 1 Timothy 3:7 Or reproach
  7. 1 Timothy 3:8 Or given to double-talk
  8. 1 Timothy 3:11 I.e., either deacons’ wives or deaconesses
  9. 1 Timothy 3:11 Or level-headed
  10. 1 Timothy 3:12 Lit managing well
  11. 1 Timothy 3:13 Lit good
  12. 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
  13. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  14. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by
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