1 Timothy 3:1-13
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:1 Or bishop
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Lit The
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Or level-headed
- 1 Timothy 3:3 Or combative
- 1 Timothy 3:6 Lit of the devil
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Or reproach
- 1 Timothy 3:8 Or given to double-talk
- 1 Timothy 3:11 I.e., either deacons’ wives or deaconesses
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Or level-headed
- 1 Timothy 3:12 Lit managing well
- 1 Timothy 3:13 Lit good
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Bible Gateway Recommends
![NASB, The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, Large Print: Large Print Edition](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9781418546984.jpg?v=1645115316)
![NASB, Thinline Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition, 1995 Text, Comfort Print](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780310451037.jpg?v=1644571207)
![NASB, The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible, Paperback: Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/files/9781418548858.jpg?v=1714818399)
![NASB, Thinline Bible, Red Letter Edition, 2020 Text, Comfort Print](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/files/9780310455431_fec5119a-5a5f-46d6-9b13-eb12a2422ed9.jpg?v=1714817887)
![NASB, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780785225645.jpg?v=1645115998)
![NASB, Super Giant Print Reference Bible, Red Letter Edition, 1995 Text, Comfort Print](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780310454960_5c9e5be7-84c6-4ba5-b272-9f01d5166e2d.jpg?v=1644570835)