Add parallel Print Page Options

This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer[a] desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; (but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?) not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:1 or, superintendent, or bishop

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

This saying is trustworthy:(A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,[a](B) he desires a noble work.” An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.(F) He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.(G) Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s(H) trap.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:1 Or bishop, or pastor