1 Timothy

The first epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, chapter 3, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 3 New English Translation

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

   1 This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." 2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. 5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap.
   8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, 9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. 11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Conduct in God's Church

   14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you 15 in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. 16 And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, 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.