FIRST TIMOTHY

 

First Timothy 3

1 ¶ It can truly be said, that if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.

2 Now a bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober-minded, of good behavior, given to hospitality, able to teach;

3 Not given to wine, not a striker, but one who is patient and gentle not a brawler, not covetous or greedy for gain;

4 One who does a good job of running his own house, having his children under control, yet dealing with them in a dignified way;

5 (For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how can he take care of God’s church?)

6 Not a new convert, or he may be lifted up with pride and so fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

7 Moreover he must also be well thought of by those who are outside the church; or he may fall into disgrace and the devil’s snare.

8 ¶ Likewise the deacons must also be dignified, not two-faced, not given to much wine, not greedy of gain;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a clean conscience.

10 Moreover, let them first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, after being found blameless.

11 In the same way their wives must be dignified, not slanderers, sober-minded, and trustworthy in everything.

12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, who do a good job of managing their children and their own homes.

13 Those who have served well gain standing in the congregation, and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 ¶ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing these things to you:

15 So that if I am delayed, you will know what you should do as my representative in God’s house, 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 revealed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

[Note: (Verse 1) In both synagogues, and early Christian congregations, the older men who led the congregation were known as elders or bishops. (The word "bishop" means overseer.)]