1 Timothy
Summary
Paul outlines the definitive qualifications for church leaders, specifically for the roles of overseers (bishops) and deacons. He emphasizes that an overseer must be "blameless," "temperate," "able to teach," and "a good manager of his own household," as these character traits reflect the dignity of God's house. Similarly, deacons must be "reverent" and "faithful in all things." Paul concludes by describing the church as the "pillar and ground of the truth" and summarizes the Christian faith in the profound "mystery of godliness," declaring that Christ was manifested in the flesh and received up in glory.
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the office of an overseer, he desires a good work.
An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober-minded, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, able to teach;
Not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy for money, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One who rules his own house well, having his children in subjection with all reverence;
(For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report from those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Likewise must deacons be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are found blameless.
Even so must their wives be reverent, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For those who have served well as deacons purchase for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly;
But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.