1 Timothy 3-4

New American Standard Bible 1995

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, ^(E)temperate, prudent, respectable, ^(F)hospitable, ^(G)able to teach, ^3 (H)not addicted to wine ^[c]or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, ^(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 the ^(M)condemnation ^[d]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 reproach and ^(P)the snare of the devil.

^8 (Q)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not ^[e]double-tongued, ^[f](R)or addicted to much wine ^[g](S)or fond of sordid gain, ^9 (T)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ^10 (U)These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ^11 [h]Women must likewise be dignified, ^(V)not malicious gossips, but ^(W)temperate, faithful in all things. ^12 (X)Deacons must be ^(Y)husbands of only one wife, and ^[i](Z)good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons ^(AA)obtain for themselves a ^[j]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; ¹⁵ but ^[k]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how ^[l]one ought to conduct himself in ^(AB)the household of God, which is the ^(AC)church of ^(AD)the living God, the ^(AE)pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ By common confession, great is ^(AF)the mystery of godliness:

Apostasy

4 But ^(AM)the Spirit explicitly says that ^(AN)in later times some will ^[o]fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^(AO)deceitful spirits and ^(AP)doctrines of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^(AQ)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, ³ men who ^(AR)forbid marriage and advocate ^(AS)abstaining from foods which ^(AT)God has created to be ^(AU)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(AV)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(AW)received with gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of ^(AX)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶ In pointing out these things to ^(AY)the brethren, you will be a good ^(AZ)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^[p](BA)sound doctrine which you ^(BB)have been following. ⁷ But ^[q]have nothing to do with ^(BC)worldly ^(BD)fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(BE)godliness; ⁸ for ^(BF)bodily discipline is only of little profit, but ^(BG)godliness is profitable for all things, since it ^(BH)holds promise for the ^(BI)present life and also for the life to come. ^9 (BJ)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed ^(BK)our hope on ^(BL)the living God, who is ^(BM)the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

^11 [r](BN)Prescribe and teach these things. ^12 (BO)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(BP)love, faith and purity, show yourself ^(BQ)an example ^[s]of those who believe. ^13 (BR)Until I come, give attention to the public ^(BS)reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through ^(BT)prophetic utterance with ^(BU)the laying on of hands by the ^[t](BV)presbytery. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ^16 (BW)Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^[u](BX)ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.