1Ti 3 | RKJN | STEP | This is a true saying, If a man desires the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

‏ 1 Timothy 3

1 This is a true saying, If a man desires the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 An overseer must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, respectable, given to hospitality, able to teach; 3 Not given to wine, not combative, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money; 4 One who rules his own house well, having his children under control, commanding their respect in all ways; 5 (For if a man does not know how to manage his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a recent convert, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must have a good reputation among those who are outside; lest he fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. 8 Deacons, likewise, must be serious, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for gain; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 Let these be tested first; then, if blameless, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, the women must be serious, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, ruling his children and his own house well. 13 For those who serve well in the office of deacon acquire for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in their faith in Christ Jesus. 14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, I write so you will know how you ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. 16 And beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.