Add parallel Print Page Options

Trustworthy pistos is the ho saying logos. If ei anyone tis aspires to oregō the office of overseer episkopē, he is desiring epithumeō a good kalos work ergon. Therefore oun, it is necessary dei for an ho overseer episkopos to be eimi above reproach anepilēmptos: a man anēr of one heis woman gynē, clear-minded nēphalios, self-controlled sōphrōn, dignified kosmios, hospitable philoxenos, skilled in teaching didaktikos, not a drunkard paroinos, not violent plēktēs but alla gracious epieikēs, not quarrelsome amachos, not a lover of money aphilargyros, managing proistēmi · ho his own idios household oikos well kalōs, having echō submissive en children teknon with meta all pas dignity semnotēs ( for de if ei someone tis does oida not ou know how oida to manage proistēmi · ho his idios own household oikos, how pōs will he care for epimeleomai the church ekklēsia of God theos?), not a recent convert neophytos, lest hina mē having become conceited typhoō, he fall empiptō into eis the judgment krima of the ho devil diabolos. And de it is also kai necessary dei for an overseer to have echō a good kalos reputation martyria with apo those ho outside exōthen, lest hina mē he fall empiptō into eis reproach oneidismos, · kai which is the snare pagis of the ho devil diabolos.

Deacons diakonos, likewise hōsautōs, must be dignified semnos, not gossips dilogos, not addicted polys to wine oinos, not greedy for gain aischrokerdēs, holding echō to the ho mystery mystērion of the ho faith pistis with en a clean katharos conscience syneidēsis. 10 And de they houtos should also kai be tested dokimazō first prōton; then eita let them serve diakoneō if they are found eimi above reproach anenklētos. 11 Wives gynē likewise hōsautōs must be dignified semnos, not slanderers diabolos, clear-minded nēphalios, faithful pistos in en all things pas. 12 Deacons diakonos each should be eimi men anēr of one heis woman gynē, managing proistēmi children teknon and kai · ho their own idios households oikos well kalōs. 13 For gar those ho who serve diakoneō well kalōs are acquiring peripoieō a good kalos standing bathmos for themselves heautou and kai great polys confidence parrēsia in en faith pistis, which ho is in en Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous.

14 I am writing graphō these things houtos to you sy, even though I am hoping elpizō to come erchomai to pros you sy quickly en tachos, 15 but de if ean I wait bradynō, so that hina you may know oida how pōs it is necessary dei for people to conduct themselves anastrephō in en the house oikos of God theos, which hostis is eimi the church ekklēsia of the living zaō God theos, a pillar stylos and kai buttress hedraiōma of the ho truth alētheia. 16 And kai undeniably homologoumenōs great megas is eimi the ho mystery mystērion of ho godliness eusebeia, who hos was revealed phaneroō in en flesh sarx, was vindicated dikaioō in en spirit pneuma, appeared horaō to angels angelos; was preached kēryssō among en the nations ethnos, was believed pisteuō in en the world kosmos, was taken analambanō up in en glory doxa.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

Here is a trustworthy saying:(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer(B) desires a noble task. 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) not given to drunkenness,(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(I) not a lover of money.(J) 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) (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(L) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(M) and fall under the same judgment(N) as the devil. 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)

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. 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

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.