Qualifications for Overseers

¹ The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work.

² Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching,

³ not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money,

⁴ managing his own household well, having children in submission with all dignity

⁵ (but if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

⁶ not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

⁷ But he must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain,

⁹ holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience,

¹⁰ and these also must be tested first; then let them serve if they¹ are above reproach.

1. *Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are”) which is understood as conditional

¹¹ The wives¹ likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things.

1. Or “The women”

¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

¹³ For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness Described

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time.

¹⁵ But if I am delayed, I am writing¹ in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay² of the truth.

1. *The words “I am writing” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause
2. Or “basis”; or “support”

¹⁶ And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness: Who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated by¹ the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the Gentiles², was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

1. Or perhaps “in”
2. Or “nations”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context