1Tim.3.1

If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good!

1Tim.3.1

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

1Tim.3.1

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

1Tim.3.1

It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility.

1Tim.3.2

But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about,

1Tim.3.2

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1Tim.3.2

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

1Tim.3.2

For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach.

1Tim.3.3

not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.

1Tim.3.3

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1Tim.3.3

not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

1Tim.3.3

He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money.

1Tim.3.4

He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.

1Tim.3.4

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

1Tim.3.4

one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence

1Tim.3.4

He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him.

1Tim.3.5

For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?

1Tim.3.5

(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

1Tim.3.5

(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

1Tim.3.5

For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?

1Tim.3.6

He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up.

1Tim.3.6

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

1Tim.3.6

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

1Tim.3.6

An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall.

1Tim.3.7

Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

1Tim.3.7

He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

1Tim.3.7

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1Tim.3.7

Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil's trap and be disgraced.

1Tim.3.8

The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it.

1Tim.3.8

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

1Tim.3.8

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

1Tim.3.8

In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers and must not be greedy for money.

1Tim.3.9

They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things.

1Tim.3.9

They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

1Tim.3.9

holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

1Tim.3.9

They must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience.

1Tim.3.10

Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.

1Tim.3.10

They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

1Tim.3.10

But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

1Tim.3.10

Before they are appointed as deacons, they should be given other responsibilities in the church as a test of their character and ability. If they do well, then they may serve as deacons.

1Tim.3.11

No exceptions are to be made for women--same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.

1Tim.3.11

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

1Tim.3.11

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

1Tim.3.11

In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not speak evil of others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

1Tim.3.12

Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.

1Tim.3.12

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

1Tim.3.12

Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1Tim.3.12

A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.

1Tim.3.13

Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

1Tim.3.13

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

1Tim.3.13

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1Tim.3.13

Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

1Tim.3.14

I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so

1Tim.3.14

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

1Tim.3.14

These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;

1Tim.3.14

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,

1Tim.3.15

you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.

1Tim.3.15

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

1Tim.3.15

but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1Tim.3.15

so that if I can't come for a while, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.

1Tim.3.16

This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

1Tim.3.16

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

1Tim.3.16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

1Tim.3.16

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ appeared in the flesh and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and was announced to the nations. He was believed on in the world and was taken up into heaven.