1 Timothy 3 – Shortcode

Qualifications for Overseers

1. This saying is trustworthy: if any man aspires to an overseer’s office,¹“an overseer’s office” is one word in Greek which comes from a Greek word meaning “to stare intently”.  While our English word “overseer” focuses on authority, the Greek word focuses on “keeping an eye on” those allotted to your charge in the sense of caring for them. he longs for a good work.
2. Therefore, it’s required for an overseer to be above reproach, a husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, willing and able to teach,
3. not given to wine, not pugnacious, but gentle and just²“gentle and just” is one word in Greek.  It refers to a sense of justice that isn’t strict in the sense of the letter of the law, but it conforms to the spirit of the law instead.  Thus, it’s “gentle” in its application., peaceable, without the love of money,
4. managing his own house well, having his children in submission with all dignity,
5. (but if a man doesn’t *know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of a church of God?)
6. and not a new convert, so he doesn’t become puffed up and fall into judgement like the Accuser.
7. And it’s also required for him to have a good reputation from men outside the church so he might not fall to slander and a snare of the Accuser.

Qualifications for Deacons

8. Likewise, deacons must be dignified, not double-tongued, not turning to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain,
9. but holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
10. And let these men also be tested first, then let them serve after being found blameless.
11. (Likewise, women must be dignified, temperate, not slanderous, and faithful in all things.)
12. Deacons must be married men who aren’t promiscuous,³“married men who aren’t promiscuous” see note on verse 2. managing their children and their own households well.
13. For the men who served well acquire good standing for themselves and much confidence in the faith; the faith in Jesus the Anointed.

Why Paul wrote

14. I write these things to you, hoping to come to you in haste.
15. But I wrote so if I delay, you might *know how it’s required to conduct yourself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God; a pillar and support of the truth.
16. And as all agree: great is the mystery of godliness; He who was revealed in the flesh, was declared righteous in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken up in glory.