Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:^(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer^(B) desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(C) faithful to his wife,^(D) temperate,^(E) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(F) able to teach,^{(G) 3} not given to drunkenness,^(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(I) not a lover of money.^{(J) 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.^{(K) 5} (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{(L) 6} He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(M) and fall under the same judgment^(N) as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^(O) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^(P)

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[b](Q) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(R) and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{(S) 10} They must first be tested;^(T) 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^(U) but temperate^(V) and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(W) and must manage his children and his household well.^{(X) 13} Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^(Y) of the living God,^(Z) the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery^(AA) from which true godliness^(AB) springs is great:

4 The Spirit^(AF) clearly says that in later times^(AG) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits^(AH) and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.^{(AI) 3} They forbid people to marry^(AJ) and order them to abstain from certain foods,^(AK) which God created^(AL) to be received with thanksgiving^(AM) by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good,^(AN) and nothing is to be rejected^(AO) if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God^(AP) and prayer.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[e] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(AQ) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^{(AR) 7} Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(AS) rather, train yourself to be godly.^{(AT) 8} For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(AU) holding promise for both the present life^(AV) and the life to come.^{(AW) 9} This is a trustworthy saying^(AX) that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(AY) who is the Savior of all people,^(AZ) and especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things.^{(BA) 12} Don’t let anyone look down on you^(BB) because you are young, but set an example^(BC) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith^(BD) and in purity. ¹³ Until I come,^(BE) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(BF) to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(BG) when the body of elders^(BH) laid their hands on you.^(BI)

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save^(BJ) both yourself and your hearers.

Widows, Elders and Slaves

5 Do not rebuke an older man^(BK) harshly,^(BL) but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men^(BM) as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.^{(BN) 4} But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,^(BO) for this is pleasing to God.^{(BP) 5} The widow who is really in need^(BQ) and left all alone puts her hope in God^(BR) and continues night and day to pray^(BS) and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.^{(BT) 7} Give the people these instructions,^(BU) so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied^(BV) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for her good deeds,^(BW) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,^(BX) washing the feet^(BY) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble^(BZ) and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

¹¹ As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹² Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies^(CA) who talk nonsense,^(CB) saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴ So I counsel younger widows to marry,^(CC) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.^{(CD) 15} Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.^(CE)

¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.^(CF)

¹⁷ The elders^(CG) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(CH) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[f](CI) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^{[g](CJ) 19} Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(CK) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^{(CL) 20} But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(CM) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^{(CN) 21} I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(CO) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,^(CP) and do not share in the sins of others.^(CQ) Keep yourself pure.^(CR)

²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine^(CS) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴ The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵ In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.