1 Timothy 3:1–10

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:w Whoever aspires to be an overseerx desires a noble task. 2 Now 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 fulla 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 judgmentj as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,k so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.l

8 In the same way, deaconsb m are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,n and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They 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.