1 Timothy 3
1 If anyone, for oversight, is eager, a noble work, doth he covet: —
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 It is needful, then, for, the overseer, to be irreproachable, a husband, of one wife, sober, of sound mind, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching,
The supervisor should be of blameless character; a faithful partner; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skilful teacher,
3 Not given to wine, not ready to wound, but considerate, averse to contention, not fond of money,
not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money;
4 Over his own house, presiding, well, having, children, in submission, with all dignity;
they should provide for their own household well, and their children should kept under control and be well-behaved.
5 Whereas, if anyone, over his own house, cannot, preside, how, of an assembly of God, shall he take care?
If someone does not know how to provide for their own household, how can they take charge of the church of God?
6 Not a new convert, lest, being beclouded, into the sentence of the adversary, he fall;
The supervisor should not be a recent convert, or they might become blinded by pride and fall under the same judgement 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.
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 Ministers, in the same way, —dignified, not double-tongued, not, to much wine, given, not greedy of base gain,
So, too, assistants should be serious and straightforward, not given to taking much drink or to questionable money-making,
9 Holding the sacred secret of the faith in a pure conscience;
but people who hold the deep truths of the faith and have a clear conscience.
10 But let, these also, be proved first, then, let them be ministering, being, unaccusable:
They should be tested first, and only appointed to their office if no objection is raised against them.
11 Wives, in the same way, —dignified, not given to intrigue, sober, faithful in all things.
It should be the same with the women in this office. They should be serious, not gossips, sober, and trustworthy in all respects.
12 Let, ministers, be husbands of, one wife, over children, presiding, well, and over their own houses;
Assistants should be faithful partners who manage their children and their households 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 have filled that post with honour gain for themselves an honourable position, as well as great confidence through the faith that they place in Christ Jesus.
14 These things, unto thee, I am writing, hoping to come [unto thee] shortly, —
I am writing this to you, though I hope that I will come to see you before long;
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; —
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 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.
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.”
