Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1 This saying is trustworthy: r “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, D,s he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, t therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, u respectable, hospitable, v able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. w 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. x 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s y trap.
8 Deacons, z likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith a with a clear conscience. b 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, E,c too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, d faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come e to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, f which is the church of the living God, g the pillar and foundation of the truth. h 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness i is great:
He F was manifested in the flesh, j
vindicated in the Spirit, k
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed l on in the world,
taken up in glory. m