1 Timothy 3

Qualifications of Bishops

³The saying is sure:^k whoever aspires to the office of bishop^l desires a noble task.^{* 2}Now a bishop^m must be above reproach, married only once,ⁿ temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,^{* 3}not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.^{* 4}He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way, ⁵for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶He must not be a recent convert,^o or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.^*

Qualifications of Deacons

⁸Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;^{* 9}they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. ¹¹Women^p likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹²Let deacons be married only once,^q and let them manage their children and their households well; ¹³for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Our Religion

¹⁴I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.^{* 16}Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great:

He^r was revealed in flesh,

vindicated^s in spirit,^t

seen by angels,

proclaimed among gentiles,

believed in throughout the world,

taken up in glory.^*