New Testament
1 Timothy 3
Overview
Paul lays out the qualifications for the two recognized offices of the local church. He affirms that to aspire to the office of overseer is to desire a noble task, then enumerates the character required: above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard or violent or quarrelsome or a lover of money, managing his own household well, and not a recent convert lest he be puffed up and fall into the devil's condemnation. He adds that the overseer must be well thought of by outsiders. He then turns to deacons, requiring dignity, sincerity, sobriety, freedom from greed, a clear conscience holding the mystery of the faith, testing before service, and qualifications for their wives (or women deacons) and for their household management. Paul states his purpose for writing—so that Timothy may know how to behave in the household of God, the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth—and crowns the chapter with an early Christian hymn confessing the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4One 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?)
6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13For 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.
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15But 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.
16And 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.