1 Timothy 3:1-7
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.
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- 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 3:1-7
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.
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- 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
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