1 Timothy 3

¹Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

²Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

³not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

⁴He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

⁵(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

⁶He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

⁷He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

⁸In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

⁹They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

¹⁰They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

¹²A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

¹³Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

¹⁵if 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.

¹⁶Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.