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This is a true saying: If anyone desires the office of an overseer, he desires a worthy work.

Therefore, an overseer must be blameless - the husband of one wife, sober, temperate, modest, hospitable, able to teach -

neither a drunkard nor a brawler nor given to greed, but gentle, peace-loving and without avarice.

One who rules his own house well, having obedient children under him with all respect.

For if anyone cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the Church of God?

He may not be a young scholar, lest he (being puffed up) falls into the condemnation of the devil.

He must also be of good reputation, even among outsiders, lest he fall into rebuke and the snare of the devil.

Likewise, deacons must be honorable—not duplicitous or given to much wine or to greed—

holding to the mystery of the faith in pure conscience.

10 And let them be tested first, then let them minister (if they are found blameless).

11 Likewise, their wives must also be honorable (not slanderers), sober, and faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as can rule their children and their own households well.

13 For those who have ministered well gain a good standing for themselves, and great liberty in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you very shortly;

15 but if I am delayed, so that you may still know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God (which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth).

16 And admittedly, the mystery of godliness is great: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.