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

Read in Logos

Footnotes

COr Women

Cross references

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