1 Timothée 3
1 Cette parole est certaine: Si quelqu’un aspire à la charge d’évêque, il désire une œuvre excellente.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 Il faut donc que l’évêque soit irréprochable, mari d’une seule femme, sobre, modéré, réglé dans sa conduite, hospitalier, propre à l’enseignement.
[Since that is a task that others should respect], an overseer must [live] in such a way that [no one] can truly (say that he has done [anything that is] wrong/find fault with him). Specifically, [he must be] faithful to his wife. He must think clearly [about what he does]. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach [God’s truth] well.
3 Il faut qu’il ne soit ni adonné au vin, ni violent, mais indulgent, pacifique, désintéressé.
He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight [those who make him angry]. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.
4 Il faut qu’il dirige bien sa propre maison, et qu’il tienne ses enfants dans la soumission et dans une parfaite honnêteté;
He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his children obey and completely respect,
5 car si quelqu’un ne sait pas diriger sa propre maison, comment prendra-t-il soin de l’Église de Dieu?
because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, (he certainly cannot care for God’s congregation!/how can he care for God’s congregation?) [RHQ]
6 Il ne faut pas qu’il soit un nouveau converti, de peur qu’enflé d’orgueil il ne tombe sous le jugement du diable.
He must not be one who has just recently [trusted in Jesus], because [if you choose a man] like that, he might become conceited/proud [because you chose him so soon]. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil [because he was conceited/proud].
7 Il faut aussi qu’il reçoive un bon témoignage de ceux du dehors, afin de ne pas tomber dans l’opprobre et dans les pièges du diable.
Moreover, [an elder must live] in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because [if he conducts himself like] that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] [like people capture animals] in a trap.
8 Les diacres aussi doivent être honnêtes, éloignés de la duplicité, des excès du vin, d’un gain sordide,
[Those whom you choose to serve as] deacons likewise [must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically], they must be (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must (be sincere/mean what they say). They must not like to drink a lot of alcohol. They must not (be greedy/have a strong desire to get money).
9 conservant le mystère de la foi dans une conscience pure.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Qu’on les éprouve d’abord, et qu’ils exercent ensuite leur ministère, s’ils sont sans reproche.
[Like you do for the elders], you must examine ([their character/how they conduct their lives]) [before you appoint them to serve]. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons.
11 Les femmes, de même, doivent être honnêtes, non médisantes, sobres, fidèles en toutes choses.
Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise [must conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be] (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink a lot of alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do.
12 Les diacres doivent être maris d’une seule femme, et diriger bien leurs enfants et leurs propres maisons;
Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
13 car ceux qui remplissent convenablement leur ministère s’acquièrent un rang honorable, et une grande assurance dans la foi en Jésus-Christ.
Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them, and they will be able [to speak] very boldly/confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
14 Je t’écris ces choses, avec l’espérance d’aller bientôt vers toi,
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 mais afin que tu saches, si je tarde, comment il faut se conduire dans la maison de Dieu, qui est l’Église du Dieu vivant, la colonne et l’appui de la vérité.
in order that if I (am delayed/things prevent me from visiting to you soon), you will know how believers should conduct their lives [and you will be able to teach that to them]. [I am talking about] all those who are members of God’s family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold/support [MET] the true [message].
16 Et, sans contredit, le mystère de la piété est grand: celui qui a été manifesté en chair, justifié par l’Esprit, vu des anges, prêché aux Gentils, cru dans le monde, élevé dans la gloire.
It is certainly true that [the message that God] has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say/sing about [Christ] (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live (in a godly manner/in a manner that pleases God). It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. [We] ([affirm/say that it is true]) concerning Jesus Christ that, He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body. God’s Spirit showed/demonstrated that he is/was truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously); Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations; People in many parts of the world believed the message about him. God took him up into heaven.
