1 Timothy 3
International Standard Version
Qualifications for Leaders in the Church
3 This is a trustworthy saying:[a]
The one who would an elder be,
a noble task desires he.
2 Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife,[b] stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.[c] 3 He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money. 4 He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way. 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, so that he won’t become arrogant and fall into the Devil’s condemnation. 7 He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn’t[d] fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by[e] the Devil.
8 Deacons,[f] too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced,[g] addicted to wine, or greedy for money. 9 They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences. 10 But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, let them serve in ministry.[h] 11 Their wives[i] must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything. 12 Deacons[j] must be husbands of one wife[k] and must manage their children and their families well. 13 Those who serve well in ministry[l] gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance by their faith in the Messiah[m] Jesus.
14 I hope to come to you soon. However, I’m writing this to you 15 in case I am delayed, so that you may know how to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great:[n]
In flesh was he[o] revealed to sight,
vindicated by the Spirit’s might,
adored by angels singing.[p]
To nations was he manifest,
believing souls found peace and rest,[q]
our Lord in heaven reigning![r]
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:1 This formula accompanied early Christian sayings on which full reliance could be placed.
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Or devoted to his wife; lit. a man of one woman
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Or able to teach
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Lit. outsiders, lest he
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Lit. the trap of
- 1 Timothy 3:8 Or Ministers
- 1 Timothy 3:8 Lit. double-worded
- 1 Timothy 3:10 Or them be deacons
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Or Women
- 1 Timothy 3:12 Or Ministers
- 1 Timothy 3:12 Or devoted to their wives; lit. men of one woman
- 1 Timothy 3:13 Or well as deacons
- 1 Timothy 3:13 Or Christ
- 1 Timothy 3:16 What follows probably represents an early Christian hymn or creed.
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Other mss. read God
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Lit. he was seen by angels
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Lit. he was believed in the world
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Lit. he was taken up in glory
1 Timothy 3
Modern English Version
Qualifications of Overseers
3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. 2 An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money, but patient, not argumentative, not covetous; 4 and one who manages his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence. 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? 6 He must not be newly converted, so that he does not become prideful and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good reputation among those who are outsiders, so that he does not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Qualifications of Deacons
8 Likewise deacons must be serious, not insincere, not given to much wine, not greedy, 9 keeping the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let them first be tested; then, being found blameless, let them serve as deacons.
11 Likewise, their wives must be serious, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well in the office of deacon purchase for themselves good standing and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Our Religion
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly, 15 but if I am delayed, you might know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Without question, great is the mystery of godliness:
God was revealed in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached to the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
taken up into glory.
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.