1 A1 Tim 1:15It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the BActs 20:28; Phil 1:1office of 1Or bishopoverseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 1Lit TheA1 Tim 3:2-4; Titus 1:6-8An overseer, then, must be above reproach, BLuke 2:36f; 1 Tim 5:9; Titus 1:6the husband of one wife, C1 Tim 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2temperate, prudent, respectable, DRom 12:13; Titus 1:8; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9hospitable, E2 Tim 2:24able to teach, 3 ATitus 1:7not addicted to wine 1Lit notor pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, B1 Tim 3:8; 6:10; Titus 1:7; Heb 13:5free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who A1 Tim 3:12manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of A1 Cor 10:32; 1 Tim 3:15the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become A1 Tim 6:4; 2 Tim 3:4conceited and fall into the B1 Tim 3:7condemnation 1Lit of the devilincurred by the devil. 7 And he must A2 Cor 8:21have a good reputation with BMark 4:11those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and C1 Tim 6:9; 2 Tim 2:26the snare of the devil.

8 APhil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:12Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not 1Or given to double-talkdouble-tongued, 2Lit notB1 Tim 5:23; Titus 2:3or addicted to much wine 2Lit notC1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet 5:2or fond of sordid gain, 9 A1 Tim 1:5, 19but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 A1 Tim 5:22These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 1I.e. either deacons’ wives or deaconessesWomen must likewise be dignified, A2 Tim 3:3; Titus 2:3not malicious gossips, but B1 Tim 3:2temperate, faithful in all things. 12 APhil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8Deacons must be B1 Tim 3:2husbands of only one wife, and 1Lit managing wellC1 Tim 3:4good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons AMatt 25:21obtain for themselves a 1Lit goodhigh standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but 1Lit if I delayin case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how 2Or you ought to conduct yourselfone ought to conduct himself in A1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21f; 1 Pet 2:5; 4:17the household of God, which is the B1 Tim 3:5church of CMatt 16:16; 1 Tim 4:10the living God, the DGal 2:9; 2 Tim 2:19pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession, great is ARom 16:25the mystery of godliness: