1 Timothy 3:1-13 ▼

1 This is a statement that can be trusted: If anyone sets his heart on being a bishop, he desires something excellent.

2 A bishop must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife, be sober, use good judgment, be respectable, be hospitable, and be able to teach.

3 He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but he must be gentle. He must not be quarrelsome or love money.

4 He must manage his own family well. His children should respectfully obey him.

5 (If a man doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

6 He must not be a new Christian, or he might become arrogant like the devil and be condemned.

7 People who are not Christians must speak well of him, or he might become the victim of disgraceful insults that the devil sets as traps for him.

8 Deacons must also be of good character. They must not be two-faced or addicted to alcohol. They must not use shameful ways to make money.

9 They must have clear consciences about possessing the mystery of the Christian faith.

10 First, a person must be evaluated. Then, if he has a good reputation, he may become a deacon.

11 Their wives must also be of good character. They must not be gossips, but they must control their tempers and be trustworthy in every way.

12 A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well.

13 Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation and will have confidence as a result of their faith in Christ Jesus.