Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks
Elders in the Church
3 ·What I say is true [or This saying/word is trustworthy; 1:15; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8]: Anyone ·wanting [aspiring] to become an ·overseer [T bishop; C perhaps the same as elder; 3:6, 7; 5:17; Titus 1:5–6] desires a ·good [honorable; noble] ·work [role; position]. 2 An overseer must ·not give people a reason to criticize him [have a good reputation; be above reproach], and he must ·have only one wife [or be faithful to his wife]. He must be ·self-controlled [sober], ·wise [have good judgment], respected by others, ·ready to welcome guests [hospitable], and able to teach. 3 He must not drink too much wine or ·like to fight [be violent/a troublemaker], but rather be gentle and ·peaceable [not quarrelsome/contentious], not ·loving money [avaricious; greedy]. 4 He must ·be a good family leader [L manage/lead his own household well], having children ·who cooperate with full respect [who obey and respect him; or whom he controls with dignity]. 5 (If someone does not know how to ·lead [manage] his own ·family [household], how can that person take care of God’s church?) 6 But an elder must not be a ·new believer [recent convert], or he might ·be too proud of himself [become arrogant] and ·be judged guilty just as the devil was [or incur the same punishment as the devil; 1:20]. 7 An elder must also have ·the respect of [a good reputation among] ·people who are not in the church [L outsiders] so he will not ·be criticized by others [fall into disgrace; be caught in a scandal] ·and [or and in this way] ·caught [ensnared] in the devil’s trap.
Deacons in the Church
8 In the same way, deacons must be ·respected by others [dignified], not ·saying things they do not mean [insincere; two-faced; deceitful]. They must not drink too much wine or ·try to get rich by cheating others [be greedy for money/profit]. 9 With a clear conscience they must ·follow [hold on to] ·the secret of the faith that God made known to us [or God’s revealed truths; L the mystery of the faith; C a mystery being something previously unknown but now revealed by God; Eph. 1:9]. 10 Test them first. Then let them serve as deacons if you find ·nothing wrong in them [them blameless]. 11 In the same way, ·women [or women who are deacons; or deacon’s wives] must be ·respected by others [dignified]. They must not ·speak evil of others [be slanderers/gossips]. They must be ·self-controlled [sober] and ·trustworthy [honest; faithful] in everything. 12 Deacons must ·have only one wife [or be faithful to their wife] and be good ·leaders [managers] of their children and their own ·families [households]. 13 Those who serve well as deacons ·are making an honorable place [gain good standing] for themselves, and they will ·be very bold [or have greater confidence/assurance] in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Secret of Our Life
14 Although I hope I can come to you ·soon [quickly], I am writing these things to you now. 15 Then, even if I am delayed, you will know ·how [L how it is necessary] to live in the ·family [household] of God, which is the ·church [assembly] of the living God, the ·support [pillar] and foundation of the truth. 16 ·Without doubt [or And we all agree], ·the secret of our life of worship [or the truth revealed in our faith/worship; L the mystery of godliness; v. 9] is great [C what follows may be from an early Christian hymn]:
He[a] ·was shown to us [appeared; was revealed] in ·a human body [T the flesh],
·proved right [vindicated] ·in spirit [or by the Spirit],
and seen by angels.
He was proclaimed ·to [among] the ·nations [Gentiles],
believed in ·by [or in; throughout] the world,
and taken up in glory.
A Warning About False Teachers
4 Now the ·Holy Spirit [L Spirit] clearly says that in the later times some people will ·stop believing [abandon; desert] the faith [2 Thess. 2:3–9; 2 Tim. 3:1]. They will ·follow [occupy themselves with; devote themselves to] ·spirits that lie [deceiving spirits] and teachings of demons. 2 Such teachings come ·from the false words [or through the hypocrisy] of liars whose consciences are ·destroyed [seared; or branded] as if by a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and tell them not to eat certain foods which God created to be ·eaten [received] with thanks by people who believe and know the truth. 4 [L For] Everything God created is good, and nothing should be ·refused [rejected] if it is accepted with thanks, 5 because it is ·made holy [sanctified] by ·what God has said [the word/pronouncement of God] and by prayer.
Be a Good Servant of Christ
6 By ·telling [pointing out] these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will be ·made strong [nourished; nurtured] by the words of the faith and the good teaching which you have been following. 7 But ·do not follow [reject] ·foolish stories that disagree with God’s truth [T godless myths and old wives tales], but train yourself ·to serve God [for godliness/piety]. 8 [L For] ·Training your body [Physical exercise] helps you in ·some [or small] ways, but ·serving God [godliness] helps you in every way ·by bringing you blessings [L since it holds promise] in this life and in the future life, too. 9 What I say is true [or This saying/word is trustworthy; 1:15; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8], and ·you should fully accept it [L worthy of full acceptance]. 10 This is why we work and struggle,[b] because we have put our hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Do not let anyone ·treat you as if you are unimportant [despise/disregard/look down on you] because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your ·actions [conduct; behavior], your love, your ·faith [faithfulness], and your ·pure life [purity]. 13 Until I come, ·continue to read the Scriptures to the people [attend/devote yourself to the public reading (of Scripture)], ·strengthen [encourage; exhort] them, and teach them. 14 ·Use [L Do not neglect] the ·gift from the Spirit [spiritual gift; L gift] ·you have [that is in you], which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you [C a way of dedicating someone to Christian service; 1:18; 5:22]. 15 ·Continue [Take care; Be diligent] to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. 16 Be ·careful [conscientious] ·in your life [L about yourself] and in your teaching. If you ·continue to live and teach rightly [L persevere in these things], you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
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