1 Timothy 3-4

English Standard Version

Qualifications for Overseers

3 The saying is ^(A)trustworthy: If anyone aspires to ^(B)the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore ^(C)an overseer^[a] must be above reproach, ^(D)the husband of one wife,^{[b] (E)}sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, ^(F)hospitable, ^(G)able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(H)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(I)not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity ^(J)keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for ^(K)God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may ^(L)become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by ^(M)outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ^(N)a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

^8 (O)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^{[c] (P)}not addicted to much wine, ^(Q)not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must ^(R)hold the mystery of the faith with ^(S)a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And ^(T)let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ^11 (U)Their wives likewise^[d] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, ^(V)faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons each be ^(W)the husband of one wife, ^(X)managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For ^(Y)those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

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:

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now ^(AE)the Spirit expressly says that ^(AF)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to ^(AG)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² through the insincerity of ^(AH)liars whose consciences are seared, ^3 (AI)who forbid marriage and ^(AJ)require abstinence from foods ^(AK)that God created ^(AL)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(AM)everything created by God is good, and ^(AN)nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(AO)received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is made holy ^(AP)by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

^6 (AQ)If you put these things before the brothers,^[h] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have ^(AR)followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, ^(AS)silly myths. Rather ^(AT)train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while ^(AU)bodily training is of some value, godliness ^(AV)is of value in every way, as ^(AW)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is ^(AX)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive,^[i] because we have our hope set on the living God, ^(AY)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach ^(AZ)these things. ^12 (BA)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers ^(BB)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ^14 (BC)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you ^(BD)by prophecy when the council of elders ^(BE)laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,^[j] so that ^(BF)all may see your progress. ^16 (BG)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save ^(BH)both yourself and ^(BI)your hearers.