1 Timothy 3:1-12
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.
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
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