En församlingsledares egenskaper

Om någon gärna vill få en församlingsledares tjänst, så önskar han sig en god uppgift. En församlingsledare[a] skall vara oklanderlig, en enda kvinnas man, nykter, förståndig, aktad, gästfri och en god lärare. Han får inte missbruka vin eller vara våldsam utan skall vara vänlig, fridsam och fri från penningbegär. Han skall ta väl hand om sin familj och se till att hans barn lyder och visar all respekt. Men om någon inte förstår att ta hand om sin egen familj, hur skall han då kunna ta hand om Guds församling? Han skall inte vara nyomvänd, så att han blir högmodig och döms av den som förtalar honom.[b] Han skall också ha gott anseende bland dem som står utanför, så att han inte får dåligt rykte och fastnar i djävulens snara.

Församlingstjänarnas egenskaper

Församlingstjänarna skall på samma sätt vara allmänt aktade och pålitliga. De får inte missbruka vin eller vara ute efter pengar. De skall äga trons hemlighet i ett rent samvete. 10 Men också de skall först prövas. Sedan kan de bli församlingstjänare, om det inte finns något att anföra mot dem. 11 Kvinnorna skall på samma sätt vara allmänt aktade, inte förtala någon utan vara nyktra och trogna i allt. 12 En församlingstjänare skall vara en enda kvinnas man. Han skall ta väl hand om sina barn och sin familj.[c] 13 De som sköter sin tjänst väl vinner en aktad ställning och får stor frimodighet i tron på Kristus Jesus. 14 Detta skriver jag till dig i hopp om att snart kunna komma till dig.

Gudsfruktans hemlighet

15 Men om jag dröjer skall du veta hur man bör förhålla sig i Guds hus, som är den levande Gudens församling, sanningens pelare och grundval. 16 Och erkänt stor är gudsfruktans hemlighet:

Han som[d] blev uppenbarad i köttet,
bevisad rättfärdig genom Anden, sedd av änglarna,[e]
predikad bland folken, trodd i världen,
upptagen i härligheten.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timotheosbrevet 3:2 församlingsledare I apostolisk tid är "presbyter" (äldste) och "episkopos" (församlingsledare) olika benämningar på samma tjänst.
  2. 1 Timotheosbrevet 3:6 och döms av den som förtalar honom Annan översättning: "och faller under djävulens dom." Se även not till Matt 4:1.
  3. 1 Timotheosbrevet 3:12 familj Se not till Joh 4:53.
  4. 1 Timotheosbrevet 3:16 Han som Andra handskrifter: "Gud". Det är här fråga om en skillnad mellan två grekiska ord som vid det förkortade skrivsätt som användes var mycket lika varandra: "OS" ("Han som") och "O~S" ("theos", Gud). I båda dessa varianter förkunnar texten att Jesu gudom är den uppenbarade hemligheten.
  5. 1 Timotheosbrevet 3:16 sedd av änglarna Annan översättning: "sedd av sändebuden", dvs apostlarna. Se fortsättningen: "predikad  . . . "

Qualifications of Church Leaders

This saying is trustworthy:[a](A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,(B) he desires a noble work.” An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) an able teacher,[b] not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy(F) one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.(G) Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s(H) trap.

Deacons,(I) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith(J) with a clear conscience.(K) 10 And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,(L) too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,(M) faithful in everything. 12 Deacons must 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 act 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:

He[c] was manifested in the flesh,(S)
vindicated in the Spirit,(T)
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed(U) on in the world,
taken up in glory.(V)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 “This saying is trustworthy” could refer to 1Tm 2:15.
  2. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or hospitable, skillful in teaching
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Other mss read God

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

Here is a trustworthy saying:(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer(B) desires a noble task. 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) not given to drunkenness,(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(I) not a lover of money.(J) 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) (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(L) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(M) and fall under the same judgment(N) as the devil. 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)

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. 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:

He appeared in the flesh,(AC)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[d]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(AD)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(AE)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper
  2. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.
  3. 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

People are more concerned about their outward appearance than their inner beauty. Paul wants women to pursue the right kind of beauty, the beauty of an inner life fashioned after godliness. That includes proper respect for their husbands, a willingness to learn the truth, and—unlike Eve—avoiding enticing claims. Paul then turns to childbirth. Childbirth is a particularly precarious time in the life of a woman; in that day, many women died trying to deliver their babies. While Paul is not promising lack of pain or assurance of safety in childbirth, he is speaking of God’s faithfulness and spiritual rewards to those women who live in faith, love, and holiness, supporting the family and the church in which God places them.

Here’s another statement you may trust: if anyone is seeking a position as overseer in the church, he desires an honorable and important work. Here are the qualifications to look for in an overseer: a spotless reputation, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, welcoming to strangers (allowing them into his home), and gifted to teach. Disqualify any drunk or violent man. Look for a gentle man; no belligerent fellow can follow this calling. And he should be free from money lust. He should exert good control over his own household, and his children should obey and honor him. (If someone can’t manage his own household, then how can he take care of God’s family?) He mustn’t be someone recently converted; otherwise, he may become arrogant and fall into the devil’s condemnation. He should also be respected for his character and known as an honorable person by people outside of the church so as to avoid the trips, traps, and pitfalls of the devil.

The same standards apply to deacons: they should be dignified. Double-talking hypocrites, heavy drinkers, and those greedy for ill-gotten gain should not be considered. They should be people who hold tight to the great mystery of faith with a clear conscience. 10 Put these deacon-candidates to the test first; and if they come through without stumbling, then send them out to serve.

11 Again the same applies to women in key positions; they should also be dignified, not backstabbing gossips but self-controlled and faithful to the core.

12 Now deacons should live faithfully as the husband of one wife and be in control of their households, including their children. 13 Those deacons who serve well will achieve a good standing for themselves in the community and have great confidence to walk in the faith that is in Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King.

If the church lacks qualified, positive leaders, then it will not succeed in its mission. Paul never provides a job description for “overseers” and “deacons.” What he does offer is a list of character traits or qualifications that challenge even the most outstanding disciple. Essentially they are servant-leaders of the church. They give themselves to the church’s well-being by teaching the truth, living a life in imitation of Jesus, and defending the church from false teaching. Paul knows firsthand how important it is to discover, train, and empower capable leaders. Everywhere he goes, he invests a lot of himself in coworkers like Timothy. Now it is Timothy’s turn to train the next generation.

14 I am writing all this to you, hoping I can come to you before too long; 15 but in case I am delayed, you will know how one ought to behave as a member of God’s family—the assembly of the living God, the pillar and foundation that support the truth— 16 and I think you will agree that the mystery of godliness is great:

He[a] was revealed in the flesh,
    proven right in the Spirit;
He was seen by the heavenly messengers,
    preached to outsider nations.
He was believed in the world,
    taken up to the heavens in glory.

Footnotes

  1. 3:16 Some manuscripts read “God.”