1 Timothy 2–3

Instructions on Worship

2I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^w intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—²for kings and all those in authority,^x that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^y and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases^z God our Savior,^{a 4}who wants^b all people^c to be saved^d and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{e 5}For there is one God^f and one mediator^g between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{h 6}who gave himself as a ransomⁱ for all people. This has now been witnessed to^j at the proper time.^{k 7}And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^l—and a true and faithful teacher^m of the Gentiles.ⁿ

⁸Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^o without anger or disputing. ⁹I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{p 10}but with good deeds,^q appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹A woman^a should learn in quietness and full submission.^{r 12}I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;^b she must be quiet.^{s 13}For Adam was formed first, then Eve.^{t 14}And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.^{u 15}But women^c will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love^v and holiness with propriety.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3Here is a trustworthy saying:^w Whoever aspires to be an overseer^x desires a noble task. ²Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^y faithful to his wife,^z temperate,^a self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^b able to teach,^{c 3}not given to drunkenness,^d not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^e not a lover of money.^{f 4}He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^a respect.^{g 5}(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{h 6}He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceitedⁱ and fall under the same judgment^j as the devil. ⁷He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^k so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^l

⁸In the same way, deacons^bm are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,ⁿ and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{o 10}They must first be tested;^p and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹In the same way, the women^c are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^q but temperate^r and trustworthy in everything.

¹²A deacon must be faithful to his wife^s and must manage his children and his household well.^{t 13}Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^u of the living God,^v the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶Beyond all question, the mystery^w from which true godliness^x springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,^y

was vindicated by the Spirit,^d

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,^z

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.^a