Who Is Greatest

²⁴ And ^(A)a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest. ^25 (B)And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ ²⁶ But it is not this way for you; ^(C)rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like ^(D)the youngest, and the leader like the servant. ²⁷ For ^(E)who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But ^(F)I am among you as the one who serves.

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.

Qualifications of Elders

⁵ For this reason I left you in ^(A)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and ^(B)appoint ^(C)elders in every city as I directed you, ⁶ namely, ^(D)if any man is beyond reproach, the ^(E)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of ^(F)indecent behavior or ^(G)rebellion. ⁷ For the ^[a](H)overseer must be beyond reproach as ^(I)God’s steward, not ^(J)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(K)overindulging in wine, not ^[b]a bully, ^(L)not greedy for money, ⁸ but ^(M)hospitable, ^(N)loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, ^9 (O)holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to ^[c]exhort in ^(P)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

^10 (Q)For there are many ^(R)rebellious people, ^(S)empty talkers and deceivers, especially ^(T)those of the circumcision,