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1 Timothy 3
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Overseers Must Be Above Reproach

3 The saying is trustworthy— if anyone aspires-to the office-of-overseer, he desires a good work. 2 Therefore the overseer must be above-reproach[a], a man of one woman[b], sober[c], sound-minded[d], respectable[e], hospitable, skillful-at-teaching, 3 not a drunken[f] one, not a brawler[g], but kind, non-quarrelsome[h], not-a-money-lover, 4 leading his own household well[i], having children in submission, with all dignity (5 but if one does not know-how to lead his own household, how will he take-care-of a church of God?), 6 not a new-convert, in order that he may not fall into the judgment of [j] the devil, having become conceited[k]. 7 And he must also have a good testimony from the ones outside, in order that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.

Deacons Must Be Honorable And Tested

8 Deacons similarly must be honorable[l], not double-tongued[m], not paying-attention-to[n] much wine, not fond-of-shameful-gain, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clean conscience. 10 And let these also first be tested, then let them be serving[o], being blameless. 11 Their wives[p] similarly must be honorable, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be men of one woman, leading their children and their own households well. 13 For the ones having served well obtain for themselves a good standing[q] and great confidence[r] in their[s] faith in Christ Jesus.

I Am Writing So You Will Know How To Conduct Yourself In The Church

14 I am writing these things to you hoping to come to you quickly, 15 but in-case I am slow[t], in order that you may know how you ought-to conduct-yourself [u] in the household of God— which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support[v] of the truth.

God Was Revealed In The Flesh, But Some Will Depart From The Faith And Good Teaching

16 And the mystery of godliness is confessedly great: Who[w] was revealed[x] in the flesh, was declared-righteous[y] in the spirit[z]; was seen[aa] by messengers[ab], was proclaimed among the nations; was believed in the world, was taken-up in glory.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or, without blame, beyond criticism.
  2. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or, husband of one wife. Some think this refers in some sense to marital status; others, to marital fidelity.
  3. 1 Timothy 3:2 That is, sober in judgment, serious.
  4. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or, prudent, moderate, self-controlled.
  5. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or, well-ordered, as in 2:9; honorable.
  6. 1 Timothy 3:3 That is, known for drunken behavior and exhibitions.
  7. 1 Timothy 3:3 Or, belligerent, combative.
  8. 1 Timothy 3:3 Or, peaceable.
  9. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or, commendably.
  10. 1 Timothy 3:6 That is, the kind of judgment made by the devil, a judgmental spirit; or, the condemnation pronounced upon the devil.
  11. 1 Timothy 3:6 Or, clouded with pride.
  12. 1 Timothy 3:8 Or, worthy of respect, dignified.
  13. 1 Timothy 3:8 That is, insincere.
  14. 1 Timothy 3:8 Or, devoting-themselves-to, and thus, being addicted to.
  15. 1 Timothy 3:10 Or, serving-as-deacons.
  16. 1 Timothy 3:11 Their wives. Or, Women deacons.
  17. 1 Timothy 3:13 Or, rank, degree of respect.
  18. 1 Timothy 3:13 Or, boldness.
  19. 1 Timothy 3:13 Or, in the faith which is in.
  20. 1 Timothy 3:15 That is, choose to proceed slowly.
  21. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or, behave, live.
  22. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or, mainstay, foundation.
  23. 1 Timothy 3:16 Some manuscripts say ‘God’.
  24. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or, appeared.
  25. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or, vindicated, proved-righteous.
  26. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or, in His spirit; or, by the Spirit.
  27. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or, appeared to.
  28. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or, angels, if heavenly messengers are in view.
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1 Timothy 3
New International Version

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer(B) desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach,(C) faithful to his wife,(D) temperate,(E) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,(F) able to teach,(G) 3 not given to drunkenness,(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(I) not a lover of money.(J) 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.(K) 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(L) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(M) and fall under the same judgment(N) as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,(O) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.(P)

8 In the same way, deacons[b](Q) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,(R) and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.(S) 10 They must first be tested;(T) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers(U) but temperate(V) and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife(W) and must manage his children and his household well.(X) 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

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

He appeared in the flesh,(AC)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[d]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(AD)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(AE)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper
  2. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.
  3. 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
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