3This saying is trustworthy:^h “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,^Bⁱ he desires a noble work.” ²An overseer,^j therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,^k respectable, hospitable,^l able to teach, ³not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.^m ⁴He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. ⁵(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) ⁶He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.ⁿ ⁷Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s^o trap.

⁸Deacons,^p likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, ⁹holding the mystery of the faith^q with a clear conscience.^r ¹⁰They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹Wives,^C^s likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,^t faithful in everything. ¹²Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. ¹³For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

¹⁴I write these things to you, hoping to come^u to you soon. ¹⁵But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,^v which is the church of the living God,^w the pillar and foundation of the truth.^x ¹⁶And most certainly, the mystery of godliness^y is great:

He^A was manifested in the flesh,^z

vindicated in the Spirit,^aa

seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believed^ab on in the world,

taken up in glory.^ac

Read in Logos

Footnotes

BOr bishop, or pastor
COr Women
AOther read God

Cross references

h 1Tm 1:15; 4:9
i Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; Ti 1:7
j Ti 1:6–8
k Ti 2:2,5
l Lv 19:34; 1Pt 4:9; 2Jn 10
m 1Tm 6:10
n 1Tm 5:12; 2Pt 2:3; Rv 20:1–15
o Ac 13:10
p Php 1:1
q Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2,19; Jd 3
r Heb 13:18
s 1Pt 3:1–6
t Ti 2:2
u 1Tm 4:13
v 1Co 3:16; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2:21–22; 1Pt 2:5; 4:17
w Mt 16:16; 1Tm 4:10
x Ps 119:142; 2Co 11:10; 2Th 2:10
y 2Pt 1:3
z Jn 1:14; Php 2:7; 1Jn 4:2; 5:20
aa Rm 1:3–4; 2:28–29; 7:5–6; 8:4; 1Co 5:5; 6:16–17; Gl 3:3; 4:29; 5:16–24; 6:8; Php 3:3; Col 2:5; Rv 1:10
ab Mt 11:24; Jn 3:16; Ac 10:43; Rm 10:9; 1Pt 1:8–10
ac Mk 16:19; Jn 20:17; 1Pt 3:22