| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” | 1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” |
| 2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. | 2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. |
| 3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. | 3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. |
| 4He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. | 4He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. |
| 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? | 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? |
| 6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. | 6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. |
| 7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. | 7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. |
| 8In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. | 8In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. |
| 9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. | 9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. |
| 10Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. | 10Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. |
| 11In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. | 11In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. |
| 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. | 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. |
| 13Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. The Truths of Our Faith | 13Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. The Truths of Our Faith |
| 14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, | 14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, |
| 15so that if I am delayed, 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 foundation of the truth. | 15so that if I am delayed, 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 foundation of the truth. |
| 16Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith : Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. | 16Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith : Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
|
