Προς Τιμοθεον Α΄ 3
1 πιστοσ ο λογοσ ει τισ επισκοπησ ορεγεται καλου εργου επιθυμει
How true is this saying: ‘To aspire to be to be a supervisor in the church is to be ambitious for a noble task.’
2 δει ουν τον επισκοπον ανεπιληπτον ειναι μιασ γυναικοσ ανδρα νηφαλεον σωφρονα κοσμιον φιλοξενον διδακτικον
The supervisor should be of blameless character; a faithful partner; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,
3 μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη αλλ επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον
not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money;
4 του ιδιου οικου καλωσ προισταμενον τεκνα εχοντα εν υποταγη μετα πασησ σεμνοτητοσ
they should provide for their own household well, and their children should kept under control and be well-behaved.
5 ει δε τισ του ιδιου οικου προστηναι ουκ οιδεν πωσ εκκλησιασ θεου επιμελησεται
If someone does not know how to provide for their own household, how can they take charge of the church of God?
6 μη νεοφυτον ινα μη τυφωθεισ εισ κριμα εμπεση του διαβολου
The supervisor should not be a recent convert, or they might become blinded by pride and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 δει δε αυτον και μαρτυριαν καλην εχειν απο των εξωθεν ινα μη εισ ονειδισμον εμπεση και παγιδα του διαβολου
They should also be well spoken of by outsiders, so that they may not incur censure and so fall into the devil’s trap.
8 διακονουσ ωσαυτωσ σεμνουσ μη διλογουσ μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντασ μη αισχροκερδεισ
So, too, assistants should be serious and straightforward, not given to taking much drink or to questionable money-making,
9 εχοντασ το μυστηριον τησ πιστεωσ εν καθαρα συνειδησει
but people who hold the deep truths of the faith and have a clear conscience.
10 και ουτοι δε δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον ειτα διακονειτωσαν ανεγκλητοι οντεσ
They should be tested first, and only appointed to their office if no objection is raised against them.
11 γυναικασ ωσαυτωσ σεμνασ μη διαβολουσ νηφαλεουσ πιστασ εν πασιν
It should be the same with the women in this office. They should be serious, not gossips, sober, and trustworthy in all respects.
12 διακονοι εστωσαν μιασ γυναικοσ ανδρεσ τεκνων καλωσ προισταμενοι και των ιδιων οικων
Assistants should be faithful partners who manage their children and their households well.
13 οι γαρ καλωσ διακονησαντεσ βαθμον εαυτοισ καλον περιποιουνται και πολλην παρρησιαν εν πιστει τη εν χριστω ιησου
Those who have filled that post with honor gain for themselves an honorable position, as well as great confidence through the faith that they place in Christ Jesus.
14 ταυτα σοι γραφω ελπιζων ελθειν προσ σε ταχιον
I am writing this to you, though I hope that I will come to see you before long;
15 εαν δε βραδυνω ινα ειδησ πωσ δει εν οικω θεου αναστρεφεσθαι ητισ εστιν εκκλησια θεου ζωντοσ στυλοσ και εδραιωμα τησ αληθειασ
but in case I should be delayed, I want you to know what your conduct ought to be in the household of God, which is the church of the living God – the pillar and stay of the truth.
16 και ομολογουμενωσ μεγα εστιν το τησ ευσεβειασ μυστηριον θεοσ εφανερωθη εν σαρκι εδικαιωθη εν πνευματι ωφθη αγγελοισ εκηρυχθη εν εθνεσιν επιστευθη εν κοσμω ανεληφθη εν δοξη
Yes, and undeniably wonderful are the deep truths of our religion; for – ‘He was revealed in our nature, pronounced righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.’
