1 Timothy 3:1-7

International Standard Version

Qualifications for Leaders in the Church

3 This is a trustworthy saying:^[a]

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.