1 Timothy 3:1–13

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS AND DEACONS

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 4}He 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 7}Furthermore, 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 10}They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹Wives,^Cs 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.