1 Timothy 3

1 This is a trustworthy [faithful, reliable] saying: If anyone [one who seeks] aspires [reaches out after, longs for] to be an overseer [bishop, elder], he desires [sets his heart on, has a strong desire for] a noble [good, honorable] task [work, occupation]. word study 2 An overseer [church leader, bishop], then, must be above reproach [blameless, without fault], the husband of but one wife [faithful to one spouse], temperate [sober-minded], self-controlled [moderate in all things], respectable [of good behavior, decent], hospitable [fond of guests, welcoming], able to teach [apt to instruct, skilled in communicating God’s truth], word study 3 not dependent on wine [a drunkard, given to wine], not violent [a bully, a striker] but gentle [moderate, fair], peaceable [not quarrelsome, a lover of peace], and free of the love of money [not greedy, not covetous, without a desire for filthy lucre]. word study 4 An overseer [ruling with authority, leading well] must manage [preside over, care for] his own [private, personal] household [home, family] well [with diligence, rightly] and keep [having in subjection, maintaining control over] his children [kids, offspring] under control [in submission, with obedience], with [accompanied by, characterized by] complete [all, full] dignity [gravity, seriousness, respect]. word study 5 For if someone [anyone, a person] does not know how to manage [rule, lead, care for] his own [private, personal] household [home, family], how can he care for [take care of, oversee, nurture] the church [assembly, congregation] of God [the one true deity, Creator]? word study 6 He must not be a [new convert, recent believer] recent convert, or he may become [puffed up, full of pride] conceited and fall [into the same condemnation, under judgment] under the same condemnation as the devil [evil one, Satan]. word study 7 Furthermore, he must have a good [excellent, well-respected] reputation [testimony, good report] with outsiders [those outside the church, non-Christians], so that he will not fall [be caught, come into] into disgrace [reproach, shame] and into the snare [trap, deceit] of the devil [the Evil One, Satan]. word study 8 Deacons [servants, ministers] likewise must be dignified [noble, respectable], not [absolutely not] double-tongued [insincere] or given to much [excessive] wine [fermented drink] or greedy [motivated by gain] for money [filthy lucre, financial gain]. word study 9 They must hold [cling to, adhere to] to the mystery [secret truth, hidden reality] of the faith [trust, confidence in God] with a clear [pure, clean] conscience [moral awareness, inner guidance]. word study 10 Additionally, they must first [before all else, initially] be tested [proven, refined like metal]. Then [afterward, subsequently], if they are [found to be, proven as] above reproach [blameless, irreproachable, without blame or fault], let them serve [minister, attend to the needs of others] as deacons [church helpers, servants]. word study 11 In the same way [likewise, in a similar manner], the women [wives, female servants] must be dignified [noble, honorable], not slanderers [devilish, false accusers], but temperate [sober, self-controlled] and faithful [trustworthy] in all things [every aspect]. word study 12 A deacon [servant, minister] must be the husband [man, leader] of but one wife [one woman, a single spouse], a good [effective, wise] manager [ruling, leading] of his children [sons and daughters, dependents] and of his own [private, personal] household [home, family]. word study 13 For those who have served [ministered, attended to the needs of others] well [rightly, with moral integrity] as deacons [servants, ministers] acquire [gain, obtain] for themselves [on their own behalf] a high [good, noble] standing [position, rank] and great [much, abundant] confidence [boldness, freedom in speaking] in the faith [trust, belief] that is in Christ [the Anointed One, the Messiah] Jesus [God is salvation]. word study 14 Although I [expecting to visit] hope to come to you soon, I am writing [recording, setting down in words] you [to you, directly addressing you] these things [this specific matter] word study 15 in case I am delayed [tarry long, slow to arrive], so that you will know how each one must conduct himself [behave, live] in God’s [the supreme Deity] household [family, church], which is the church [assembly, congregation] of the living [always alive, having life] God [the all-powerful, supreme Creator], the pillar [support, column] and foundation [base, support] of the truth [reality, divine message]. word study 16 By common confession [undeniably, without controversy], the mystery [secret, hidden truth] of godliness [piety, reverence for God] is great: He appeared [was manifested, revealed] in the flesh [human body], was vindicated [justified, declared righteous] by the Spirit [the divine breath, God’s presence], was seen [perceived, attended to] by angels [heavenly messengers], was proclaimed [preached, heralded] among the nations [Gentiles, non-Jewish people], was believed in [trusted, had faith] throughout the world [the earthly realm, all creation], was taken up [lifted, received] in glory [honor, praise, divine splendor]. word study