1 Timothy 3

Qualifications of Church Leaders

3This saying is trustworthy: ^wx“If anyone aspires to be an overseer, ^yhe desires a noble work.” ²An overseer, ^ztherefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, ^arespectable, hospitable, ^ban able teacher, ^c3not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy ^d— ⁴one who manages his own household competently, having 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 fall into the condemnation of the Devil. ^e7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s ^ftrap.

⁸Deacons, ^glikewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, ⁹holding the mystery of the faith ^hwith a clear conscience. ⁱ¹⁰And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹Wives, ^jtoo, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, ^kfaithful in everything. ¹²Deacons must 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 ^lto you soon. ¹⁵But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, ^mwhich is the church of the living God, ⁿthe pillar and foundation of the truth. ^o16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness ^pis great:

He ^qwas manifested in the flesh, ^r

vindicated in the Spirit, ^s

seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believed ^ton in the world,

taken up in glory. ^u