Qualifications for Elders

(A)This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and (B)appoint elders in every town as I directed you— (C)if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[a] and his children are believers[b] and not open to the charge of (D)debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer,[c] (E)as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not (F)be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent (G)or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, (H)and disciplined. He must (I)hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in (J)sound[d] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:6 Or a man of one woman
  2. Titus 1:6 Or are faithful
  3. Titus 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos
  4. Titus 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13

Titus’s Ministry in Crete

The reason I left you in Crete(A) was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders(B) in every town: one(C) who is blameless,(D) the husband of one wife, having faithful[a] children not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer,(E) as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught,(F) so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching(G) and to refute those who contradict it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:6 Or believing