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.

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; ¹⁵ but ^[l]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in ^(AB)the household of God, which is the ^(AC)church of ^(AD)the living God, the ^(AE)pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond question, great is ^(AF)the mystery of godliness:

Abandonment of Faith

4 But ^(AM)the Spirit explicitly says that ^(AN)in later times some will ^[o]fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^(AO)deceitful spirits and ^(AP)teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^(AQ)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, ³ who ^(AR)forbid marriage and advocate ^(AS)abstaining from foods which ^(AT)God has created to be ^(AU)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(AV)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(AW)received with gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of ^(AX)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶ In pointing out these things to ^(AY)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good ^(AZ)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^(BA)good doctrine which you ^(BB)have been following. ⁷ But ^[p]stay away from ^(BC)worthless ^(BD)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, ^[q]discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(BE)godliness; ⁸ for ^(BF)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but ^(BG)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it ^(BH)holds promise for the ^(BI)present life and also for the life to come. ^9 (BJ)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set ^(BK)our hope on ^(BL)the living God, who is ^(BM)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

^11 [r](BN)Prescribe and teach these things. ^12 (BO)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(BP)love, faith, and purity, show yourself ^(BQ)an example ^[s]of those who believe. ^13 (BR)Until I come, give your attention to the public ^[t](BS)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of ^(BT)prophecy with ^(BU)the laying on of hands by the ^[u](BV)council of elders. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ^16 (BW)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(BX)save both yourself and those who hear you.

The Psalmist’s Profession of Uprightness.

A Psalm of David.