⁸Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money; ⁹they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve. ¹¹Their wives^d also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything. ¹²A church helper must have only one wife,^e and be able to manage his children and family well. ¹³Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Great Secret

¹⁴As I write this letter to you, I hope to come and see you soon. ¹⁵But if I am delayed, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion:

He appeared in human form,

was shown to be right by the Spirit,^f and was seen by angels.

He was preached among the nations,

was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven.

Read in Logos

1 Timothy 3:16: Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Footnotes

dTheir wives; or Women helpers.
ehave only one wife; or be married only once.
fwas shown to be right by the Spirit; or and, in spiritual form, was shown to be right.