1 Timothy 3:1-7

Jubilee Bible 2000

3 ¶ The Word is faithful, If anyone desires the office of a bishop, {to be a pastor or elder in the congregation} he desires a difficult ministry.

² It is expedient, therefore, that the bishop be blameless, the husband of only one wife, vigilant, temperate, of worldly affections mortified, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

³ not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

⁴ one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all integrity;

⁵ (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} of God?)

⁶ not a novice, lest being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil.

⁷ Moreover he must have a good report of those who are outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.