1 Timothy 3
1 If anyone, for oversight, is eager, a noble work, doth he covet: —
This is a trustworthy statement: “If someone aspires to be an elder, this is a good work to want to do.”
2 It is needful, then, for, the overseer, to be irreproachable, a husband, of one wife, sober, of sound mind, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching,
An elder must be above reproach, married to one wife, self-controlled, well-balanced, sensible, hospitable, and able to teach.
3 Not given to wine, not ready to wound, but considerate, averse to contention, not fond of money,
He should be someone who doesn't get drunk or become violent, but is gentle, and is not argumentative or greedy for money.
4 Over his own house, presiding, well, having, children, in submission, with all dignity;
He must handle his own family well. His children must respect what he tells them to do.
5 Whereas, if anyone, over his own house, cannot, preside, how, of an assembly of God, shall he take care?
(For if a man doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he manage God's church?)
6 Not a new convert, lest, being beclouded, into the sentence of the adversary, he fall;
He should not be a new believer, in case he gets so full of himself he falls under the same condemnation as the devil.
7 It is needful, moreover, to have, an honourable testimony also, from them who are without, lest, into reproach, he fall, and the snare of the adversary.
People outside the church should also speak well of him so that he won't disgrace himself and fall into the devil's trap.
8 Ministers, in the same way, —dignified, not double-tongued, not, to much wine, given, not greedy of base gain,
Similarly deacons should be respected, and not hypocritical. They should not be addicted to drink, and should not be trying to dishonestly enrich themselves.
9 Holding the sacred secret of the faith in a pure conscience;
They must stick to the revealed truth about God, trusting in him with a pure conscience.
10 But let, these also, be proved first, then, let them be ministering, being, unaccusable:
They should be tried out first, and if they can't be faulted then let them serve as deacons.
11 Wives, in the same way, —dignified, not given to intrigue, sober, faithful in all things.
Their wives should be respected too. They should not slander people with gossip, and they should be self-controlled and trustworthy in all they do.
12 Let, ministers, be husbands of, one wife, over children, presiding, well, and over their own houses;
Deacons should be married to one wife, managing their children and their homes well.
13 For, they who have ministered well, a good degree for themselves, are acquiring, and great freedom of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Those who serve well as deacons gain a good reputation and much confidence in their trust in Christ Jesus.
14 These things, unto thee, I am writing, hoping to come [unto thee] shortly, —
Even though I hope to see you soon, I'm writing about all this to you so that
15 But, if I should tarry, that thou mayest know—how it behoveth, in a house of God, to behave oneself, —the which, is an assembly of a Living God, a pillar and basement of the truth; —
if I'm delayed you'll know how people should behave themselves in God's house. This is the church of the living God, the support pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 And, confessedly great, is the sacred secret of godliness, —Who was made manifest in flesh, was declared righteous in spirit, was made visible unto messengers, was proclaimed among nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
There's no question about it: the revealed truth about God is amazing! He was made known to us in human form, he was vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, declared to the nations, trusted in by the world, and taken up in glory!
