1 Timothy 3:1-7
Revised Standard Version
Qualifications of Bishops
3 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; 5 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil;[a] 7 moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.[b]
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- 1 Timothy 3:6 Or slanderer
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Or slanderer
1 Timothy 3:1-7
American Standard Version
3 [a]Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 The [b]bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 [c]no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; 4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the [d]condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
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- 1 Timothy 3:1 Some connect the words Faithful is the saying with the preceding paragraph.
- 1 Timothy 3:2 Or, overseer
- 1 Timothy 3:3 Or, not quarrelsome over wine
- 1 Timothy 3:6 Greek judgment.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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