1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers

1 Timothy 3:1–7

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, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; but gentle, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all dignity;

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 new convert, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of those outside the church; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8–13

8 Likewise must the deacons be dignified, not deceitful in speech, not given to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain;

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

10 And let these also first be tested; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be dignified, 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 gain for themselves an honorable standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

1 Timothy 3:14–16

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.