1 Timothy 3 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Qualifications for Overseers

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (Ac 20:28; 1Ti 1:15) 2 Therefore an overseer^[1] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,^[2] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (1Ti 3:11; 1Ti 5:9; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:6; Tit 2:2; 1Pe 4:9)

1Ti 3:111Ti 5:92Ti 2:24Tit 1:6Tit 2:21Pe 4:9

3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (1Ti 6:10; Tit 3:2; Heb 13:5) 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (1Ti 3:12) 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? (1Ti 3:1) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 3:4) 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (Mr 4:11; 1Ti 6:9; 2Ti 2:26)

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^[3] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (Php 1:1; 1Ti 5:23; Tit 1:7; Tit 2:3; 1Pe 5:2)

Php 1:11Ti 5:23Tit 1:7Tit 2:31Pe 5:2

9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (Ac 23:1; 1Ti 1:19) 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (1Ti 5:22) 11 Their wives likewise^[4] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (Tit 2:3; Tit 2:10) 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (1Ti 3:2; 1Ti 3:4) 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (Mt 25:21)

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He^[5] was manifested in the flesh, vindicated^[6] by the Spirit,^[7] seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (Lu 2:13; Lu 24:4; Joh 1:14; Ac 1:2; Ga 2:2; 2Th 1:10; 1Pe 1:20)

Lu 2:13Lu 24:4Joh 1:14Ac 1:2Ga 2:22Th 1:101Pe 1:20

New International Version

Qualifications for overseers and deacons

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 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^[1] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 8 In the same way, deacons^[2] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. (Ro 16:1; Php 1:1) 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, the women^[3] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 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 to you with 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 of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit,^[4] was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

King James Version

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 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.

New International Reader’s Version

Rules for choosing leaders and deacons

1 Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, they want to do a good work for God and people. 2 A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. 3 He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him. And he must do this in a way that gains him respect. 5 Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church? 6 The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil. 7 The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil’s trap. 8 In the same way, deacons must be worthy of respect. They must be honest and true. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get money by cheating people. 9 They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith. Even their own minds tell them to do that. 10 First they must be tested. Then let them serve as deacons if there is nothing against them. 11 In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his children and family well. 13 Those who have served well earn the full respect of others. They also become more sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s reasons for giving instructions to Timothy

14 I hope I can come to you soon. But now I am writing these instructions to you. 15 Then if I have to put off my visit, you will know how people should act in God’s family. The family of God is the church of the living God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 There is no doubt that true godliness comes from this great mystery. Jesus came as a human being. The Holy Spirit proved that he was the Son of God. He was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations. People in the world believed in him. He was taken up to heaven in glory.