Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Qualifications of Overseers

3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. ² An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach; ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money, but patient, not argumentative, not covetous; ⁴ and one who manages his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence. ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? ⁶ He must not be newly converted, so that he does not become prideful and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover he must have a good reputation among those who are outsiders, so that he does not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

⁸ Likewise deacons must be serious, not insincere, not given to much wine, not greedy, ⁹ keeping the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ And let them first be tested; then, being found blameless, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ Likewise, their wives must be serious, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things.

¹² Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who have served well in the office of deacon purchase for themselves good standing and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Our Religion

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly, ¹⁵ but if I am delayed, you might know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Without question, great is the mystery of godliness:

Prediction of Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and not to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister of Christ Jesus

⁶ If you remind the brothers of these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and of good doctrine, which you have followed closely. ⁷ But refuse profane and foolish myths. Instead, exercise in the ways of godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, give attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the elders.

¹⁵ Meditate on these things. Give yourself completely to them, that your progress may be known to everyone. ¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.